Interstate campaigners call for abortion law reform in NSW

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from the ACT, Victoria and NSW today called on Premier Rees to ask the NSW Law Reform Commission to review NSW's outdated abortion laws with the aim of decriminalising abortion as recently occurred in Victoria and the ACT.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said, "We are calling on Premier Nathan Rees to give the NSW Law Reform Commission a reference to modernise our outdated laws, following the lead of Victoria and the ACT which now regulate abortion through public health laws.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 Politicians worked together to change outdated laws in the ACT and Victoria and they can do the same in NSW.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