Premier should shun anti-abortion violence

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.