ACT Right to Life Association N E W S L E T T E R

Winter (June - August) 1998

[ Abortion Interest 'Waynes'? ][ President's Report ][ Karinya House Fund-Raising ]
[ Lobbyist lobs into Canberra ][ In Brief ][ Euthanasia Laid to Rest in Tasmania ]
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Abortion Interest 'Waynes'?

Labor MLA Wayne Berry has once again raised the issue of decriminalising abortion for debate in the ACT.  One advantage to the pro-life movement of Mr Berry's on-again off-again approach is that he is also exasperating members of his own party.  However, it should not be forgotten that it was through Mr Berry's persistence during the Follett Government that a private abortion facility was established in Canberra.
In an address given to the ACT Pro-Choice group on the evening of Wednesday, 29 April, Mr Berry told an audience that included ACT Right to Life president Nicola Pantos, that he would not be introducing legislation to the Assembly to decriminalise abortion because he did not have the numbers to pass the bill.

BERRY'S LATEST MOVE

However, on Thursday, 21 May, abortion became an issue once again with Mr Berry writing to all MLAs to canvas their views on legislation to decriminalise abortion.  That he did so without consulting his party leader and Assembly Opposition Leader Jon Stanhope, caused some anger and division within the Labor Party.
When questioned on ABC Radio, Mr Berry said he had been motivated by the recent changes to the law in Western Australia to raise the issue again.  "I would like to decriminalise it, but I recognise there are many Members who are not of the same view ... I just want to keep the debate going in relation to it so people are fully informed about developments elsewhere" (2CN, Friday 22 May, 1998).

PAUL OSBORNE'S RESPONSE

Independent MLA Paul Osborne is reported to be considering a response to Mr Berry's moves.  The Canberra Times (30 May 1998) reported that "Osborne says he had not sought to divide the community by forcing his views on others.  But he gave no undertakings, he says, other than 'not to throw the first punch'.

"'The first punch has been thrown and let's all take a deep breath and see what happens ... we're concerned about it, we're looking at it and we're considering our options,' he said."