[Greens-Media] Time to fix NT abortion laws!

[Convenor, NT Greens]

*Time to fix NT abortion laws!*



Greens candidate Dr Michael Connard calls for abortion law reform in the NT
so that women are not forced to travel vast distances to undergo
termination of pregnancy and so that non-surgical terminations can be
offered.

“Current NT abortion law requires that termination of pregnancy must be
performed by an obstetrician or a gynaecologist in a hospital.”

“Approximately a thousand NT women undergo termination of pregnancy every
year and this law means that they are all forced to undergo a surgical
termination in either Royal Darwin Hospital or Alice Springs Hospital.”

“A better law would enable suitably trained and equipped doctors around the
NT to perform termination of pregnancy and would greatly reduce the number
of women forced to travel long distances to undergo this procedure.”

“Non surgical termination of pregnancy offers a non invasive alternative
which can safely be performed much earlier in pregnancy than a surgical
termination.”

“Non surgical termination of pregnancy is safely performed throughout the
rest of Australia. Unfortunately current NT abortion law effectively
precludes non surgical termination of pregnancy.”

“Surgical terminations in the NT are generally performed around 8 weeks
gestation or later; medical terminations could be performed much earlier
than this.”

The Greens would also like to see a greater provision of sex education and
access to contraceptives so that the unplanned pregnancy rate is reduced.

contact:

Dr Michael Connard

Email michael.connard at nt.greens.org.au

Mobile 0438 734 784