By Kristy McDonald
A LOCAL MP and a western suburbs health group have criticised and applauded the State Government for its mixed stance on abortion law reform.
The bill to decriminalise abortion was read in parliament last week and was based on recommendations from a recent Victorian Law Reform Commission report, giving women final decision-making authority up to 24 weeks gestation.
After 24 weeks, the decision will lie with two medical practitioners who, in making it, must consider all relevant medical circumstances and the woman’s current and future physical, psychological, and social circumstances.
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland said the legislation was an insult and assumed that women who were 24 weeks pregnant could not make a decision for themselves.
“Only a tiny proportion of abortions are carried out after 24 weeks, and they are all for absolutely heart-breaking and personally devastating reasons,” Ms Hartland said.
“Nearly all are planned pregnancies that have developed ghastly complications.
Ms Hartland said the choice to proceed with abortion should not be made by politicians or doctors at any stage.
“Let doctors handle the medical procedure and let women make the moral decision,” she said.
Women’s Health West (WHW) chairwoman Lisa Field said that while the group was disappointed at the constraints of the bill, “it appears to provide long-needed certainty for women, their doctors and the community, which is a positive step forward”.
WHW CEO Dr Robyn Gregory reiterated Ms Hartland’s comments on political intervention in reproductive health.
“What our elected representatives need to do now, is to avoid amendments that water down this bill,” Dr Gregory said.
“Amendments must remain consistent with the government’s commitment to modernise and clarify the law and reflect current community standards, without altering current clinical practice.
“We must trust women to make important and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, without pressure or judgement.”
