Abortion Law Reform

Abortion law reform needed, Greens say

leerhiannon — 2010-07-06T06:20:24Z

Read the article in its original context here:

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abortion-law-reform-needed-greens-say-20100705-zx5m.html

The poll, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, indicated a clear majority of Australians believe abortion should be lawful without question in a woman's first trimester, or lawful depending on her circumstances in the second trimester.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said on Monday the results should act as a reminder to the government that NSW laws were out of step with community opinion and in need of change.

"It's a human rights issue, it's an issue of dignity in terms of managing one's own reproductive health," Ms Rhiannon told AAP.

"Current laws in NSW contribute to stigma and can lead to women delaying abortion, suffering extra humiliation and distress."

The national poll of about 800 Australians over 18 years of age found 61 per cent said abortion should be lawful without question for a woman in her first trimester of pregnancy, while 26 per cent said it should be lawful depending on the reason.

Ms Rhiannon said when coupled, the figures were significant because they showed 87 per cent of people believed abortion should not be a crime.

The NSW Crimes Act states that anyone who unlawfully commits an act with the intention of procuring a miscarriage is liable to 10 years imprisonment.

The last time a doctor in NSW was convicted for carrying out an illegal abortion was in 2006.

Ms Rhiannon believes abortions should be regulated by health laws like any other medical procedure, as is the case in some states.

"Victoria, the ACT and Western Australia have modernised abortion laws in the last decade, treating abortion as a health not a criminal matter," she said, adding that the conservative wing of NSW Labor has held up reform.

"(Abortion) needs to be moved out of the Crimes Act. It will come, I just hope that it doesn't take too long."

The Greens have called for a NSW Law Reform Commission assessment of different models, which they believe will help to achieve unity on the issue across the political parties.

Acting Premier Carmel Tebbutt and Opposition Health spokesman Jillian Skinner were unavailable for comment on Monday.

Earlier this year, the NSW government said the existing legislation allowed for legal abortion under certain circumstances, and adequately protected women and health professionals.

The poll also found support for outright lawful abortion in the second trimester (12 to 24 weeks) was 12 per cent, while 57 per cent of respondents said it depended on circumstances.

For third trimester or late-term abortions, just six per cent of people said it should be outright lawful while 42 per cent said it depended on the circumstances.

A lead author of the research also called for abortion to be decriminalised.

"Early abortion should be freely and easily available on request," said Professor Julian Savulescu, a visiting professor at Monash University.

Results from a separate survey conducted online by Marie Stopes International found that more than half of Australian women have had an unplanned pregnancy.

Survey shows time for abortion law reform in NSW

aorme — 2010-07-05T00:17:07Z

‘Strong support for abortion heartens law reform supporters’, SMH today.

Lee Rhiannon launched a campaign to reform NSW’s abortion laws in 2009.

The survey revealed 61 percent believe abortion should be lawful in

the first trimester, with 26 percent saying it depends on the

circumstances. 69 percent thought it should be lawful in the second

trimester in some circumstances.

"These survey results should act as a reminder to the government that

NSW laws are out of step with community opinion and in need of

change," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Victoria, the ACT and WA have all modernised abortion laws in the

last decade, treating abortion as a health not a criminal matter.

"The Keneally government could show itself to be responsive to

community opinion by modernising NSW’s abortion laws.

"Abortion offences still remain on NSW law books. This potential for

prosecution creates concern for both women and doctors.

"At any time a conservative judge or police commissioner can change

the status quo.

"This survey confirms what we already know - many women access

abortion services in NSW and the majority of Australians support a

woman’s right to choose.

"Current laws in NSW contribute to stigma and can lead to women

delaying abortions, suffering extra humiliation and distress.

"Anecdotal reports also suggest practitioners are deterred from

working in the field because of the risk of prosecution.

"Research illustrates that legalising abortion does not increase abortions.

Education and contraception are the key to keeping abortion rates

down," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

QLD abortion standoff: Rees should pre-empt the same in NSW

alisono — 2009-09-03T00:05:20Z

Premier Anna Bligh is struggling to urgently amend Queensland laws to
solve a stand-off where hospitals are refusing to provide medical
abortions, forcing women seeking abortions to travel interstate to NSW,
Victoria and the ACT.

"The Rees government claims our current abortion laws are fine as they
stand. What's happening in Queensland illustrates that no woman or
doctor is safe from criminal prosecution," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The NSW Attorney General's claim that our laws are adequate is naïve.
It attempts to instil a false sense of security in women and doctors.

"The situation in Queensland should spur Premier Nathan Rees to
instigate a law reform process that leads to decriminalisation of
abortion in NSW.

"Queensland has almost identical abortion laws to NSW. Because of the
Cairns case hospitals in that state are refusing to provide medical
abortions.

"Premier Bligh is now trying to push through urgent amendments, seeking
to provide a defence for doctors performing medical abortion to end the
hospital stand-off.

"The best solution is to decriminalise abortion and regulate it through
our health laws.

"In a tragic case this week, a 24 year old was forced to travel from
Brisbane to Lismore to have a severely malformed foetus terminated
because of the lack of hospital services for medical terminations in
Queensland.

"In 2009 women and medical professionals in NSW should have the surety
of modern abortion laws that now exist in Victoria and the ACT.

"No woman seeking an abortion should have to face court on criminal
charges or be forced to cross borders to obtain this procedure," Ms
Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Read more about Lee Rhiannon's campaign to decriminalise abortion.

Abortion reform should rise above party politics

pretaadmin — 2009-08-26T04:31:23Z

"Modernising NSW's abortion laws should be beyond party politics, with all parties working together," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Premier Nathan Rees and Opposition Barry O'Farrell could refresh politics by joining forces and working co-operatively to bring forward progressive laws.

"NSW is dragging the chain on abortion law reform in Australia, with Victoria and the ACT modernising their laws to treat abortion as a health not a criminal matter.

"A good way for Premier Rees to kick start reform is to give the NSW Law Reform Commission the job of reviewing NSW's outdated laws, with the aim of decriminalising abortion as occurred last year in Victoria.

"The NSW Attorney General claims our existing laws work well, but the case of a young Cairns woman and her partner being prosecuted in a Queensland court is a reminder of the risks still existing with the current criminal regime.

"Maintaining the current laws, which lack clarity and certainty, easily allows a conservative judge or police commissioner to alter the status quo.

"Times have changed since abortion laws were enacted.

"A majority of Australian's support a woman's right to choose which should be reflected in new laws in NSW," Ms Rhiannon said.

Lee Rhiannon launched the Greens campaign to decriminalise abortion on 2009 International Women's Day. She since held a public forum on the issue at Parliament House. Read more about the campaign at http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

QLD abortion case starts today: NSW must repeal outdated laws

pretaadmin — 2009-06-11T04:04:59Z

A 19 year old woman and her 21 year old partner will attend Cairns Magistrate Court today, facing seven and three years jail respectively. In response, Cairns doctors Caroline de Costa and Michael Carrette have announced they will cease offering abortions because they fear prosecution and want the law changed.

"This Queensland case underlines how women, their supporters and their doctors still risk prosecution in NSW. The NSW Law Reform Commission should be given the job of reviewing NSW's outdated laws, with the aim of decriminalising abortion, as occurred last year in Victoria," Ms Rhiannon said.

"I have had talks with the Queensland Children by Choice group about developing an interstate campaign to remove abortion from the criminal law in both states.

"In NSW we are developing cross party support to remove abortion from the NSW Crimes Act.

"Premier Nathan Rees would be wise to closely study recent polling in Queensland
which shows that 79 percent of Queenslanders and 83 percent of Labor voters support decriminalisation of abortion.

"With Queensland's reputation for conservatism, Premier Rees can take courage from this polling which shows that the public sees these laws as archaic and in need of reform.

"This important issue deserves a response that rises above politics, with MPs from every party working towards repeal of NSW's outdated abortion laws.

"The NSW Premier has been silent on this issue, while his Queensland counterpart Premier Anna Bligh, has closed the door on reform.

"A modern Premier would realise that it is time to remove criminal laws that haunt women who have made the difficult decision to have an abortion," Ms Rhiannon said.

Lee Rhiannon launched the Greens action to decriminalise abortion on International Women's Day and has since held a public forum in May at NSW Parliament House.

For more information:9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Read more about the campaign at www.lee.greens.org.au

Interstate campaigners call for abortion law reform in NSW

pretaadmin — 2009-05-11T04:12:42Z

Abortion law reform campaigners from the ACT, Victoria and NSW today called on Premier Rees to ask the NSW Law Reform Commission to review NSW's outdated abortion laws with the aim of decriminalising abortion as recently occurred in Victoria and the ACT.

Former ACT Labor MP Wayne Berry and Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland - both active in successful campaigns to modernise ACT and Victorian abortion laws - and ethicist and columnist Dr Leslie Cannold held a media conference with Greens MP Lee Rhiannon before a public forum at NSW Parliament House on the issue.

Just last month a Queensland teenager was charged, and her boyfriend, for unlawfully procuring her own abortion. They now face Cairns Magistrate Court in June. Queensland's abortion laws are almost identical to those in NSW.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said, "We are calling on Premier Nathan Rees to give the NSW Law Reform Commission a reference to modernise our outdated laws, following the lead of Victoria and the ACT which now regulate abortion through public health laws.

"Former premiers Bob Carr and Morris Iemma closed the door on abortion law reform but Premier Rees has not yet commented. We find this encouraging," Ms Rhiannon said.

Ethicist and media commentator Dr Leslie Cannold said, "NSW laws are paternalistic and well past the used by date. The current Queensland case could be repeated is NSW at any time. We need modern abortion laws fit for the 21st century."

Former ACT Labor MP Wayne Berry said, "This important issue should sit above party politics. Politicians worked together to change outdated laws in the ACT and Victoria and they can do the same in NSW.

Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland said, "In Victoria the battle to reform abortion law was led by the Labor government and supported by the community and a range of MPs from all political persuasions.

"The NSW government owes it to women to take this difficult but important journey to a more liberal and civilised society."

More information on the issue and the campaign:
Dr Leslie Cannold - 0417 114 859
Former ACT Labor MP Wayne Berry - 02 6254 3577
Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland - 0417 445 845
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.
Lee abortion campaign page is at www.lee.greens.org.au

Are You Listening, Nathan?

leerhiannon — 2009-12-18T04:21:27Z

The push to legalise abortion in NSW has begun, writes Greens health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon

A young, savvy woman who volunteers in my office expressed great surprise the other day when she found out that abortion remains a criminal offence in NSW.

Her reaction is a tribute to the feminist movement that has so successfully won the battle to provide women with good quality abortion services in Australia. It is also a sign that NSW laws are out of step with women's valid expectation that abortion be accessible, safe and beyond the reach of the criminal law.

NSW is dragging its feet on this front.

The ACT completely decriminalised abortion in 2002. Abortion is now regulated by the Health Act and it is treated like any other medical procedure.

Victoria modernised its laws late last year, following a comprehensive and skilful review by that state's Law Reform Commission.

Women in NSW would be forgiven for asking: if they can do it, why can't we?

To date, Premier Nathan Rees has been silent on abortion law reform. But that is at least an improvement on his predecessors: former Labor premiers Bob Carr and Morris Iemma both said they saw no need to change abortion laws.

In 1971 High Court Judge Justice Windeyer noted that the law marched with medicine, "but in the rear and limping a little". In the case of abortion law in NSW, we are suffering from more than a limp — we have stopped moving altogether.

It is not acceptable that case law spells out when an abortion can occur lawfully, allowing a more conservative judge to change the status quo with a flick of the pen. The potential for criminal prosecution creates concern for women and doctors. It contributes to stigma, humiliation and distress and risks women delaying abortions. Those in the field also report that the current law deters people working in the area and contributes to staff shortages.

A good abortion law would promote safe medical practices, and allow for an unqualified person who carries out an abortion to be prosecuted. It would also be a sensible requirement that an abortion must only occur in an approved medical facility.

There is danger in maintaining the current legal regime that lacks clarity and certainty and is out of touch with people's experience. The present regime weakens respect for the law.

The reality is that many women do access abortion services in NSW. It is estimated that one in three Australian women have an abortion, with one in four pregnancies terminated.

A majority of Australians also support a woman's right to choose. Rees would not be out of step with public opinion if he moved to remove abortion from the criminal law. But he will likely need to be pushed. NSW needs a vocal reform movement to provide that push.

On Sunday, the Greens launched a campaign to decriminalise abortion in NSW. The experience in Victoria and the ACT gives hope that the task of moving the regulation of abortion from the Crimes to the Health Act is not too contentious or difficult.

Ideally this is the job of the Government. We are calling on Premier Rees to introduce his own bill, as Victorian Premier John Brumby did in September last year. If he doesn't, the Greens will consider introducing a private member's bill into the NSW Parliament.

Public engagement in the law reform process is, of course, crucial. The Rees Government could conduct its own community consultations, or ask the NSW Law Reform Commission to inquire into and report on the issue, as Brumby did in Victoria.

Rees would be wise to step up to the job of modernising NSW abortion laws to guarantee women access to safe, affordable and legal abortions. A failure to act will be yet another indication that under Rees' leadership, NSW Labor is no more imaginative, courageous or progressive than before.

To view this article in its original context, click here.

International Women's Day: Greens launch campaign to decriminalise abortion in NSW

pretaadmin — 2009-04-29T00:59:03Z

“On International Women’s Day the Greens are calling on Premier Rees to reform abortion laws to guarantee women access to legal, safe and affordable abortions in NSW," Ms Rhiannon said.

“It’s time to change the outdated laws in NSW that still make abortion a crime.

“NSW has been left behind by states like Victoria and the ACT which now treat abortion as a health not a criminal matter. The ACT completely decriminalised abortion in 2002, Victoria modernised its laws in 2008 and WA in 1998.

"NSW women would be forgiven for asking Premier Rees, 'if they can do it, why can't we?'.

"In 2009 it is a surprise to many women to find out that criminal laws still regulate this very personal decision.

“It is not good enough that women and doctors have to rely on court judgements to spell out when abortion is legal. At any time a conservative judge or police commissioner can change the status quo, further restricting women's rights.

"The potential for criminal prosecution creates concern for women and doctors. It contributes to stigma, humiliation and distress and risks that women will delay abortions.

"Those working in the field also report the criminal laws deter health professionals working in the area and contribute to staff shortages.

“Research shows that legalising abortion will not increase the number of abortions – education and contraception are the key to keeping abortion rates down.

"The reality is that many women access abortion services in NSW. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Australian women have an abortion, with 1 in 4 pregnancies terminated. A majority of Australians support a woman’s right to choose.

“Clear, modern new health laws regulating abortion should be Premier Rees’ gift to women on International Women’s Day.

"If Premier Rees fails to step up to the job the Greens will introduce our own private members' bill.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568

NSW Liberal reforms paper thin ? Clark faction still dominates

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:54:30Z

"Mr O'Farrell's failure to end the dominance of the NSW Liberals extreme right faction suggests the reforms the opposition leader is touting are paper thin," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The opposition leader might assert that the Liberal's factions have kissed and made up but as long as the extreme right faction dominated by David Clark has the numbers on the State Executive the people of NSW need to be suspicious of what the Liberals really stand for.

"The opposition leader is misleading the public when he makes out the reforms adopted at the weekend State Council will ensure 'the NSW Liberal Party organisation operates in a fair and democratic way'.

"The extensive branch stacking reported on the ABC Four Corners program two years ago has not been dismantled.

"Steve Pringle, the former Liberal MP, when he lost preselection for the seat of Hawkesbury, said that the Liberal Party is 'controlled by an exclusive sect, an extremist right wing group'.

"It appears that the main result of the so called State Council reforms is that the Liberal left has been silenced.

"A veneer of unity has been created for the media and the public.

"Those who control the numbers inside the NSW Liberals hold socially conservative views on abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality.

"The extreme right faction's hold on power within the NSW Liberal Party structure will be significant for preselections for state seats.

"It would be expected that more NSW Liberals aligned to the extreme right faction of the party will be preselected," Ms Rhiannon said.

Is Fred Nile waiting in the wings to be new Asst Deputy Upper House President?

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:45:33Z

“The Labor government has given no justification for creating a new position of Assistant Deputy President. This move seems to be designed to assist Labor politically rather than improve the running of the NSW Upper House,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The NSW Upper House is already well served with a President, a Deputy President, and seven Chairs of Committees who assist the President on a daily basis.

“This new position will be filled tomorrow and at this stage it appears Reverend Fred Nile is the only nominee.

“The new position is most likely to attract extra pay and perks. The NSW Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal in the past has ruled that way.

“If Rev Fred Nile does take this position Premier Iemma should be embarrassed as quite recently Rev Nile advocated a moratorium on Islamic immigration and for decades has bred hostility against the gay and lesbian community and manoeuvred to dismantle a woman’s right to an abortion.

“Apart from the ‘moral’ issues that the Christian Democrats back Reverend Nile has consistently supported the government of the day in promoting a conservative agenda.

“He voted with the government when they weakened workers’ compensation laws; watered down community consultation in the planning process; dismantled public ownership of Sydney’s water supply; restricted the availability of public housing; and made it harder to stop land clearing.

“As Labor does not have the numbers in the Upper House Rev Nile’s vote has been crucial on many government bills.

A motion to appoint an Assistant Deputy President was put to the NSW Upper House yesterday. Today the Upper House will vote on who fills the position.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551 or 0427 861 568

Iemma and Debnam must declare their position on abortion

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:42:45Z

"Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam need to declare where they stand on abortion," said Ms Rhiannon.

"Premier Iemma must reiterate his Government's support for women's right to choose a safe and legal abortion.

"Peter Debnam needs to make it clear that his party will support the right to safe and legal abortion despite the ascendency of Christian fundamentalism in his party.

"Both Iemma and Debnam need to reassure women that in NSW abortion will be treated as a health issue, and that as leaders they will not tolerate conservative MPs debating abortion as a moral issue.

"A women's right to control her own fertility is a critical issue to women's lives that comes under attack every time abortion makes the news.

"The case of the NSW doctor found guilty of performing an illegal abortion should not be used as excuse for anti-abortion campaigners and certain religions groups to push their agenda to limit women's right to have an abortion.

"The current case highlights the need for better quality medical services for those women who are making the difficult decision whether or not to have an abortion.

"Time and again the so-called debate about late term abortions is misused to undermine women's right to an abortion.

"As a Greens MP I reiterate my party's commitment to every woman's right to control their reproductive destiny and I call on the major parties to do the same," said Ms Rhiannon.

Liberal machine set to install colourless Debnam

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:38:43Z

"The Prime Minister and the religious right, which now dominates the NSW Liberals, have had a big win with the Debnam leadership promotion," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Machine politics now rules the major parties in this state. Debnam's appointment to the top NSW Liberal job is a mirror image of how NSW Labor promoted Mr Iemma.

"The fact that within 36 hours of Mr Brogden stepping down the right wing Liberal machine had their chosen leader in place is disturbing. The way the NSW Liberals have handled the leadership change over shows their disregard for democratic processes.

"Mr Debnam's leadership depends on some of the most conservative politician forces in Australia today.

"Mr Debnam will feel indebted to those right wingers that want to end women's right to choose abortion, who have little regard for environmental protection and who are strongly committed to John Howard's scorched earth approach to workers' rights.

"In the eastern suburbs Mr Debnam is seen as a colourless character who is out of step with his own electorate.

"In the last federal election there was a strong swing against the Liberals in the Wentworth electorate which covers Debnam's seat of Vaucluse," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information: 9230 3551 or 0427861568

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that plans to appoint Peter Debnam as NSW Liberal leader reflects the ascendancy of the extreme right wing within the Liberal Party.

"The Prime Minister and the religious right, which now dominates the NSW Liberals, have had a big win with the Debnam leadership promotion," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Machine politics now rules the major parties in this state. Debnam's appointment to the top NSW Liberal job is a mirror image of how NSW Labor promoted Mr Iemma.

"The fact that within 36 hours of Mr Brogden stepping down the right wing Liberal machine had their chosen leader in place is disturbing. The way the NSW Liberals have handled the leadership change over shows their disregard for democratic processes.

"Mr Debnam's leadership depends on some of the most conservative politician forces in Australia today.

"Mr Debnam will feel indebted to those right wingers that want to end women's right to choose abortion, who have little regard for environmental protection and who are strongly committed to John Howard's scorched earth approach to workers' rights.

"In the eastern suburbs Mr Debnam is seen as a colourless character who is out of step with his own electorate.

"In the last federal election there was a strong swing against the Liberals in the Wentworth electorate which covers Debnam's seat of Vaucluse," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information: 9230 3551 or 0427861568

Greens lobby Vatican to reject Pell

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:32:19Z

"Who can forget his infamously offensive slur when he told church goers 'abortion is a worse moral scandal than priests sexually abusing young people'?" Ms Rhiannon said.

"His tenure has been marked by division, where progressive elements of the church have been stymied at every turn.

"Pope Pell would be a retrograde step for global health as he still opposes the use of condoms that help protect people from HIV AIDS.

"His ultra conservative agenda has opposed loving same sex couples being able to marry, as well as safe injecting rooms that save lives.

"Surely there is a more progressive option than George Pell, after all it wouldn't be difficult", Ms Rhiannon said.

Fred Nile's one-stop shop a pointless exercise

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T03:25:22Z

"Women dont need moral lectures and guilt trips from the likes of Right to Life," Ms Rhiannon said.

"There are plenty of ways for pregnant women to get support, regardless of whether they are planning to have an abortion or not - this adds nothing positive to the picture.

"One of the most objectionable aspects of Mr Niles one-stop shop is that its entirely aimed at women. The fact that men are assumed to bear no responsibility simply reveals Fred Niles anti-woman agenda.

"The Greens support the present system. It works well, and was put in place after a vigorous debate and decades of struggle. It doesnt need to change, and we certainly dont need to return to the bad old days of backyard abortions.

"Prime Minister John Howard has let Liberal MPs like David Clarke and Tony Abbott out of their cage to serve as a distraction from more important political debates about the future of our planet, the war in Iraq and the planned cuts to social services.

"Its extraordinary to see Fred Nile and David Clarke describe abortion as evil while supporting a war in Iraq that has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, many of them women and children.

"Given the rank hypocrisy of these leaders of the so-called pro-life movement, its a wonder anyone takes them seriously," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens call on the Carr Government to scrap plans to sell off the State Forests. This is the only way to protect jobs and uphold environmental standards.

"We also want a comprehensive and inclusive assessment of the potential social, environmental and economic costs of privatisation.

"So far all that's on offer are one-sided studies, and a Carr Government looking for any means of getting a budget surplus, regardless of the facts or the consequences," Ms Rhiannon said.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has criticised Fred Niles plan for one-stop shops for pregnant women, saying they were unnecessary and nothing more than a figleaf for his anti-woman, anti-abortion agenda.

"Women dont need moral lectures and guilt trips from the likes of Right to Life," Ms Rhiannon said.

"There are plenty of ways for pregnant women to get support, regardless of whether they are planning to have an abortion or not - this adds nothing positive to the picture.

"One of the most objectionable aspects of Mr Niles one-stop shop is that its entirely aimed at women. The fact that men are assumed to bear no responsibility simply reveals Fred Niles anti-woman agenda.

"The Greens support the present system. It works well, and was put in place after a vigorous debate and decades of struggle. It doesnt need to change, and we certainly dont need to return to the bad old days of backyard abortions.

"Prime Minister John Howard has let Liberal MPs like David Clarke and Tony Abbott out of their cage to serve as a distraction from more important political debates about the future of our planet, the war in Iraq and the planned cuts to social services.

"Its extraordinary to see Fred Nile and David Clarke describe abortion as evil while supporting a war in Iraq that has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, many of them women and children.

"Given the rank hypocrisy of these leaders of the so-called pro-life movement, its a wonder anyone takes them seriously," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens call on the Carr Government to scrap plans to sell off the State Forests. This is the only way to protect jobs and uphold environmental standards.

"We also want a comprehensive and inclusive assessment of the potential social, environmental and economic costs of privatisation.

"So far all that's on offer are one-sided studies, and a Carr Government looking for any means of getting a budget surplus, regardless of the facts or the consequences," Ms Rhiannon said.

Premier should shun anti-abortion violence

pretaadmin — 2009-08-27T02:45:06Z

Ms Rhiannon said, "Violent fanatics are emboldened when mainstream political leaders fail to fully defend a woman's right to abortion access.

"Mr Carr and Mrs Chikarovski should declare that all woman have a right to safely access professional abortion clinics.

"The respectable Church and political faces of the anti-abortion lobby must defend a woman's right to safely access abortion, even if they wish to dissuade woman from this choice.

"Nurses and doctors should not be put under any threat of psychological or physical violence for giving women access to safe, professional abortion procedures.

"Women requiring an abortion should not be bullied out of their choice by the actions of this savage anti-abortion fanatic.

"The Greens express their deep sympathy to the patients and staff at the Melbourne clinic and to Steven Rogers' family," said Ms Rhiannon.

Greens Upper House MP Lee Rhiannon today warned that New South Wales could see American-style anti-abortion violence unless political leaders defended the right of women to choose abortion.

Ms Rhiannon said, "Violent fanatics are emboldened when mainstream political leaders fail to fully defend a woman's right to abortion access.

"Mr Carr and Mrs Chikarovski should declare that all woman have a right to safely access professional abortion clinics.

"The respectable Church and political faces of the anti-abortion lobby must defend a woman's right to safely access abortion, even if they wish to dissuade woman from this choice.

"Nurses and doctors should not be put under any threat of psychological or physical violence for giving women access to safe, professional abortion procedures.

"Women requiring an abortion should not be bullied out of their choice by the actions of this savage anti-abortion fanatic.

"The Greens express their deep sympathy to the patients and staff at the Melbourne clinic and to Steven Rogers' family," said Ms Rhiannon.