ACT Right to Life Association MEDIA RELEASE

Abortion bill provides for sensible safeguards

The Health Regulation (Abortions) Bill 1998, introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly today by independent MLA Paul Osborne, would provide for a number of sensible safeguards on the practice of abortion, according to president of the ACT Right to Life Association, Nicola Pantos.

"The Bill provides for new safeguards and protection for women in the ACT", said Ms Pantos.

The Bill will ensure that:

· women must give informed consent before an abortion is allowed;
· women under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian's consent;
· there be a cooling-off period of three days after consent is given;
· women's privacy will be protected;
· abortions will be allowed under certain circumstances if the unborn child is no more than 12 weeks gestation;
· babies old enough to be born alive will be allowed to live;
· medical staff cannot be intimidated or harassed for refusing to perform or assist with an abortion procedure; and
· there will be a yearly statistical report on abortions carried out in the ACT.

"I cannot imagine that anyone would object to regulations to ensure that women have informed consent and independent counselling or that anyone would object to a cooling-off period so that women don't make a hasty decision they may regret. Providing women with information can only empower them."

"This Bill goes beyond the usual polemics of the abortion debate - these are the minimum standards anyone would expect to be applied to the abortion industry",
Ms Pantos said.


Issued:        Wednesday, 26 August 1998

Contact:    Nicola Pantos, president of the ACT Right to Life Association,
        telephone 02 6253 3100