Abortion Law Reform Bills Tabled

Wayne Berry - Member for Ginninderra

Media Statement - 8 August 2001

Abortion law reformer Wayne Berry has tabled draft legislation to repeal the Crimes Act 1900 provisions on abortion and the Health Regulation (Maternal Health Information) Act 1998 in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.

The Crimes Act 1900 carries a penalty of up to 10 years gaol for a woman procuring an abortion, for a doctor who performs an abortion or a person who provides drugs to perform an abortion.

The Health Regulation (Maternal Health Information) Act 1998 and the Regulations legislate the requirement for women to view pictures of foetuses if considering an abortion.

In tabling an Exposure Draft of his legislation Mr Berry said, "Outdated laws which prescribe a gaol sentence for abortions and laws that require women to view pictures of foetuses have no place in society in the year 2001. That these laws remain in force in the Territory is a matter of great shame for the ACT Legislative Assembly.

"I believe that abortion must be safe, legal and preferably rare. But it is a fundamental right for women to control their own bodies without being overshadowed by outdated and embarrassing legislation based on the 19th century concept of ownership of women by men.

"If elected at the 2001 ACT Legislative Assembly election I give my unequivocal commitment to move to repeal these laws and I urge the community to ask candidates what their position is on abortion.

"The history of the ACT Legislative Assembly is peppered with candidates who get elected with very little of their policies known and the community needs no more surprises suddenly being sprung on them.

"Over my period in the Assembly I have consistently advocated abortion law reform and the provision of support and counselling service for women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. As a committed abortion law reformer I intend to actively campaign for the repeal of this outdated legislation.

"I also urge all voters to make sure they know candidates' positions on issues important to them before they vote.

"All candidates for the 5th Legislative Assembly election should be scrutinised for their policies and what they stand for," Mr berry concluded.