[Greens-Media] Hanson-Young: Greens urge Roxon to intervene in abortion stand-off

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Saturday 29 August 2009

Greens urge Roxon to intervene in abortion stand-off 

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on the Federal Health
Minister to convene an emergency meeting of all state and territory
health ministers and attorneys-general, as Queensland's abortion law
stand-off continues.

Queensland hospitals have recently suspended medical abortion services
as medical abortions are still technically illegal under Queensland
criminal law, leading to women being referred interstate for treatment
or facing the prospect of an abortion in their own home.

"The Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, must step in and convene an
emergency meeting with her state counterparts and this country's
attorneys-general, to resolve this dangerous situation," said Senator
Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Women.

"The Commonwealth has a responsibility to help resolve this legal
confusion.

"Categorising abortion purely as a state issue fails to recognise the
gravity of the cases occurring in Queensland.

"Abortion is a health issue, requiring consistent laws governing its
access, and must be taken responsibility for as such.

"Women should have the right to access the health services they need,
and to be able to make safe, legal choices.

"The Greens urge Health Minister Nicola Roxon to intervene, before
thousands of women are blocked from safe access to health services in
their home state."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760