Embarrassing Bungle Leads To New Move To Restrict Ministerial Interference

Only 1 Vote Needed To Stop Crusade

Wayne Berry - Member for Ginninderra

Media Statement - 14 October 1999

An embarrassing correction to anti-abortion law has led to a move by Labor MLA Wayne Berry to stop ministerial interference in information requirements for women who have decided to terminate a pregnancy. The correction was required when it was found that the information proposed by Liberal anti-abortion crusaders, Ministers Gary Humphries and Brendan Smyth, was wrong.

"Ministers Humphries and Smyth have embarked on a moral crusade aimed at inflicting their own views on women who want to end a pregnancy - and they have blundered. The blunder highlights the need to stop these unqualified politicians from interfering with women's rights because of their narrow view.

"A new development is the commitment by Speaker, Greg Cornwell not to vote on this issue again. I need only one vote to stop these crusaders in their tracks," Mr Berry said.

"I have moved to amend the Maternal Health Information Regulations 1999 to restrict politicians to operating within the clearly defined intentions of the Health Regulations (Maternal Health Information) Act.

"The Health Regulations (Maternal Health Information) Act clearly vests the responsibility for the approved information in the independent expert panel and the Humphries/Smyth blunder has demonstrated that the responsibility should stay with the panel.

"All of the Liberals voted for the blunder including the self-claimed 'pro-choice' Chief Minister Kate Carnell.

"It is time for Assembly Members, particularly the Chief Minister, to recognise that they have no role in inflicting their views on women or their doctors. Only one vote is needed to stop this crusade," Mr Berry concluded.