Green Left Weekly contacted a range of parliamentarians to canvass their views on abortion law repeal. While members of the Australian Democrats, WA Greens and ALP expressed individual support for a woman's right to choose, none have said they are prepared to put forward a bill for repeal.
NSW ALP parliamentarian Sandra Nori is not yet prepared to put forward a bill. She has met with the woman whose case formed the basis for Justice Newman's decision and has offered support for her appeal, including help with fundraising.
The WA Greens allow their members a conscience vote on the issue (and others). WA Greens Senator Dee Margetts stated, however, that the party has a pro-choice policy because the majority of members support a woman's right to choose.
The position of the Australian Democrats was difficult to clarify. The leader, Senator Cheryl Kernot, told Green Left Weekly that "the Australian Democrats have held a pro-choice position since our inception, and we support the repeal of abortion laws". Kernot called for the removal of abortion from the Crimes Act and for the availability of free abortion to any woman who chooses to terminate a pregnancy.
In discussions with Kernot's office, Green Left Weekly was told that the Democrats have a conscience vote on the issue, as they do on all issues. However, it was stressed that despite the lack of a formal arrangement to bind Democrat representatives, members "would consider themselves technically bound by the policy".
NSW Democrat MLC Elizabeth Kirby, however, put forward a different position. In her opinion the Democrats have "no policy" on abortion — it is a conscience issue within the party. Kirby stated that she does not support abortion on demand, although she argues that women who suffer unwanted pregnancies should have the right to choose a safe, free and legal abortion. Her reason for not supporting abortion on demand was that it may lead to a situation where some women were able to use abortion as a method of contraception.
Kirby stressed she did not want this to become an electoral issue, saying it might allow the right-wing anti-choice forces to campaign to strengthen their hand. When asked about the possibility of a repeal campaign strengthening the voice and numbers of pro-choice activists and sympathisers, Kirby's opinion was that this was too dangerous to attempt.
Democrat MLC Richard Jones' office told Green Left Weekly that his party would not consider introducing a bill "until the time is right".
The NSW minister for the status of women, Kerry Chikarovski, has said that she has no intention of putting forward a bill for repeal.
Many NSW politicians contacted were interested in abortion becoming an issue at the next state election, to be held within the next 10 months, because this might strengthen the pro-choice forces in parliament.