[Greens-Media] NSW hospitals baulk at QLD women seeking abortions

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 27 August 2009

NSW hospitals baulk at QLD women seeking abortions

Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW and Queensland Premiers to urgently act on abortion law reform or risk a stand off where NSW hospitals refuse to conduct abortions on Queensland women travelling to NSW because hospitals have suspended services there.

"Reports that NSW hospitals have said they will review the case for carrying out abortions on Queensland women travelling to NSW because of the Queensland situation are disturbing, " Ms Rhiannon said.  ('Interstate abortion seekers face ban', The Australian, 27 August 2009 http://tinyurl.com/lxdllv). 

"Premier Rees should shame Queensland Premier Anna Bligh into acting to modernise her state's outdated abortion laws by committing to reform in NSW.

"Women must have access to safe, convenient abortion services but Queensland has shown this is not guaranteed there or in NSW because of outdated laws criminalising abortion.

"In Queensland doctors are refusing to provide abortion services after a 19-year-old Cairns woman and her boyfriend were charged for organising an allegedly self-administered abortion.

"NSW laws are almost identical to those in Queensland - now is the time for change," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au