300 rally to repeal abortion laws

BY KERRIE BARRON & KERRYN WILLIAMS

CANBERRA — "Against abortion? Don't have one!" was the popular slogan of a rally attended by 300 people outside the ACT Legislative Assembly on April 9. The rally was called by Options for Women in support of two bills before the assembly to remove pregnancy termination from the crimes act, and repeal the Health Regulation (Maternal Health Information) Act 1998.

"If these bills are passed the ACT will have the most progressive abortion legislation in Australia", Erica Lewis from the Women's Electoral Lobby told the crowd.

Lewis also criticised political parties that allow elected representatives a conscience vote on the legality of abortion. She asked why politicians seek the freedom to individually decide their view on abortion while enforcing their decisions on all women.

Katie Firster from the ACT Women's Legal Service said abortion laws strip women of their ability to make decisions, when it is women who have to bear the psychological, physical and social consequences of those decisions. She said: "Women are not just vessels. Women are not just wombs."

Long-time activist Dorothy Broome described abortion as "fundamentally a women's health issue", pointing out that where access to abortion is not legally available, maternal mortality rates increase.

The rally heard a statement of support from Hazel Hawke, who described abortion as a fundamental right. Rally chairperson Kerry Arabena concluded the rally by inciting the crowd to loudly chant "not the church, not the state, women must decide their fate."

From Green Left Weekly, April 24, 2002.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 488