By Virginia Brown

MELBOURNE -- The Reclaim the Night (RTN) collective hosted a “meet the candidates” forum here on September 24. All parties contesting the federal election were invited to speak about what they would do for women if elected.

The speakers included Liberal senator Judith Troeth, Labor's Julia Gillard, Jo Williams from the Democratic Socialists, Therese Self from the Progressive Labor Party (PLP), the Australian Democrats' Helen Martin and a representative for the Greens' candidate Liz Conor.

Sarah Lantz, a RTN collective member and co-host of the forum told Green Left Weekly that one of the most interesting revelations for many women at the meeting was that the Australian Democrats have a “conscience” vote on all issues.

There was debate about some of the candidates' view that election candidates' gender, sexuality and age should be taken into consideration when people decide who to vote. This was challenged by other women who argued that parties' policies, reliability and history of action on women's issues were more important than the personal characteristics of their candidates.

One of the more heated debates focused on parties' “conscience” vote on women's right to choose abortion. Only the Democratic Socialists and PLP fully support women's right to choose and do not allow their members a “conscience” vote on the question.

Troeth tried to claim that the Liberals' refusal to remove Medicare rebates for abortion established them as pro-choice. It was pointed out, however, that the Coalition had, with the support of Senator Brian Harradine, criminalised the abortifacient RU486, and that most women still have to pay hundreds of dollars for an abortion, even with the Medicare rebate.

The ALP was also criticised for not having decriminalised abortion while in government, and for not fully supporting pro-choice campaigns while in opposition.

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