Kamala Emanuel

Access to abortion must be decriminalised and without restrictions

As an abortion provider, pro-choice advocate and a woman who has undergone abortion in New South Wales, I support the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill.

Even with the best access to sex education, contraception and emergency contraception (which NSW does not have), there is no pro-active way for people engaged in potentially reproductive sex but not prepared for parenthood to guarantee they will not become pregnant. Sometimes, planned pregnancies become impossible to continue, whether for health or personal reasons.

'We do not approve!' Stop Adani sit-in

Two thousand people took over a major roadway in Brisbane on a Friday night, standing and sitting in. The action is likely to be the prelude to future disruption in the city if approval for the Adani coal mine is not withdrawn.

The rally first heard from a range of speakers, including Wangan and Jagalingou spokesperson Adrian Burragubba; MUA Qld state secretary Bob Carnegie; and organisers with University Students for Climate Action, Front-Line Action on Coal and others.

US abortion rights attacks escalate

Legislative attacks on abortion rights in the US have escalated this year, as social conservatives have shifted tactics with an unprecedented wave of state abortion bans adopted.

The most restrictive legislation was signed into law by Alabama's governor on May 15. It bans abortion altogether, except for cases of medical emergency. Pregnancy resulting from sexual assault is no exception and doctors performing abortions are criminalised with penalties of up to 99 years in jail.

Labor’s reproductive health pledge a win for activism

On International Women’s Day, March 8, 57 countries signed on to a United Nations’ statement calling for universal sexual and reproductive healthcare, including access to safe abortions, and comprehensive sexuality education.

Australia was not one of the signatories.

IWD split over transgender inclusion

The split in the grassroots women’s liberation movement was on display when two rallies to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) were held on March 9. Each attracted around 100 people.

Medevac bill shows why we need a socialist election campaign

The Socialist Alliance has a vision for a better world — and we are running in the federal election to share that vision and help make it become a reality.

Grassroots campaign obtains historic win as abortion decriminalised in Queensland

In a major victory for women's rights, Queensland's parliament voted to decriminalise abortion on October 16.

Queensland could be about to legalise abortion

Queensland parliament will finally start debating whether to make abortion legal on October 16.

Sacking over abortion tweets galvanises campaign for access

The Tasmanian Liberal government might have hoped that by announcing on July 2 that it had secured an abortion provider whose services are due to open in October, the “abortion issue” might have gone away.

It is a vain hope.

Cricket Australia's decision to sack Angela Williamson on June 29 because of her tweets campaigning for abortion access in Tasmania, and her subsequent decision to go public and appeal to the Fair Work Commission, has reignited the issue.

Will Hodgman: Surely now is the time for abortion access?

[The following letter was sent by Dr Kamala Emanuel to the Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman on August 8 in response to his government's decision not to allow public hospitals to provide abortion access from July 1. Emanuel sent it to Green Left Weekly in the wake of the public furore over Cricket Australia's decision to sack Angela Williamson because of her tweets campaigning for abortion access in the state.]

Dear Premier,

I lived for 9 years in Tasmania. My daughter was born at home in Glenorchy.

Rallying for abortion rights

Jackie Trad calls pro-choice rally

More than 200 people rallied outside Queensland state parliament on July 21 to support the call for abortion law reform.

The rally was called by Labor deputy premier Jackie Trad. Earlier in the week, she and other Labor leaders had announced the endorsement by cabinet and caucus of the recommendations in the Queensland Law Reform Commission's report into modernising the state's abortion laws.

Abortion access and free speech

NSW has just passed a law enforcing safe zones outside abortion clinics. It has been well received by supporters of reproductive rights and clinic workers. But some argue such laws — which now cover most states and territories — are a serious infingement of free speech.