Women march for abortion rights

By Susan Price

BRISBANE -- Hundreds lined the streets here on August 17 for the largest pro-choice rally in a decade. Chanting “Goss be nimble, Goss be quick, drop the law, you make us sick!”, the march moved from Parliament House to Roma Street Forum.

Organised by the Women's Abortion Campaign (WAC), protesters called on the Goss Labor government to repeal Queensland's abortion laws. Abortion is the only medical practice dealt with under the state's criminal code.

Speakers included Labor Senator Margaret Reynolds, Beryl Holmes from Children By Choice, retired medical practitioner and long-time activist Janet Irwin and Anna McCormack for WAC.

Saturday's turnout proved that free, safe abortion on demand is still an issue for thousands of women.

Anna McCormack pointed out that at present there are four privately operated, fee-charging abortion clinics in Queensland, and these are beyond the reach of many women. For this reason, WAC supports free abortion, not just through the public hospital system, but through fully funded women's health clinics.

The rally and march received the public support of at least 17 organisations and women's services.

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