Berry Moves To Disallow Draconian Abortion Regulations

Carnell And Humphries' Hypocrisy Exposed

Wayne Berry - Member for Ginninderra

Media Statement - 1 September 1999

Labor MLA Wayne Berry today tabled a motion to disallow draconian regulations aimed at forcing Canberra women seeking an abortion to look at pictures of foetuses. The regulations were tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly today by Deputy Chief Minister Gary Humphries.

Mr Berry's motion, if successful, will accept the unanimous decision of the expert panel that the inclusion of pictures in abortion information as inappropriate and possibly counterproductive.

"A decision whether to force women choosing an abortion to view pictures of foetuses now depends on Chief Minister Kate Carnell's vote," Wayne Berry said today.

Mr Berry, a long time abortion rights campaigner, who repealed legislation to preventing abortions in the ACT and established the Territory's first abortion clinic, has expressed concern that Mrs Carnell might support moves to set back women's rights.

"This is the big test for Kate Carnell given her professional background. Will she accept the advice of properly qualified professionals who rejected the pictures as inappropriate or will she fall in with the zealots who wish to impose their extreme views on women - regardless of the damage it may cause.

"The expert panel appointed under the legislation comprises 7 specialists in obstetrics, neonatal medicine, psychiatry and women's health issues who said:

• 'It is the unanimous view of the panel that the presentation of pictures or drawings of foetuses is irrelevant and in some cases could be counterproductive and cloud the issues.'

"During the debate on the bill last year while speaking in support of the preparation of the information by the panel, Mrs Carnell said of the panel:

• 'They will give us information approved by an independent group of people - a balanced, independent, full suite of information.'

"Mrs Carnell should not now reject that 'balanced, independent, full suite of information' prepared by the panel she voted for.

"The regulations tabled today by Gary Humphries fly in the face of good sense and the overwhelming community attitude - that it should be a woman's right to choose. They also fly in the face of Mr Humphries' own words during the debate on the bill in November last year where he said:

• 'The information in this case needs to be approved, in its presentation and format and accompanying information, by a panel of five or perhaps more specialists. I feel confident that that process is going to lead to a document which is balanced, reasonable and medically accurate, and designed to do what this whole Bill is about doing, which is providing accurate information to a woman about the total picture confronting her as she considers an abortion."

"But when the expert panel disagrees with his determination to force women to look at pictures of foetuses, the Deputy Chief Minister overrides their expert advice and goes ahead with his draconian regulations," Mr Berry concluded.