Page 2334 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 August 2017
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There are myriad reasons why a woman may choose to terminate a pregnancy or choose not to terminate. It is not our place to judge her reasons or her choice. I say: power to her for captaining her own ship, for making her own choices. We all benefit, our society benefits, when women are able to freely and fairly participate in our society, to fulfil their educational aspirations, to pursue their career goals and, if they want to create a family, then to do so on terms that are acceptable to them and, if relevant, their families.
I am proud to be part of an ACT Labor government whose progressive policies on abortion over the past 15 years have given all women in the ACT a choice. In 2002 the ACT Labor government decriminalised abortion and regulated for safe and accessible abortion in the ACT. Truly, thank you to former MLAs Wayne Berry, for introducing the landmark legislation to decriminalise abortion, and to Katy Gallagher who introduced the legislation to regulate the health facilities to ensure the safety of women.
Mr Berry said when introducing the bill that decriminalised abortion:
Regardless of anyone’s views on the moral question, we have the collective responsibility to ensure that we cannot be charged with turning a blind eye to the reality of ACT women having access to abortion.
He was making the point, which I reiterate today, that any failure to recognise a woman’s right to choose will not prevent abortions. It will simply drive them underground. In his reply speech, Mr Berry also said the following, which I take to heart today:
Even if it passes tonight, this campaign will continue. We have to be vigilant about protecting well into the future any gains that are made. The campaign will not be over.
I am proud to say that the government has continued our campaign to support a woman’s right to choose. In 2016 the government took further steps to protect women from the negative mental health impacts, distress and intimidation being caused by protesters stationed outside approved abortion facilities. Women who have made the difficult decision to have an abortion have the right to be able to access the medical services they require without being forced to endure the judgement of others. Our commitment to a better Canberra means delivering policies that reflect our community’s progressive values.
Like others on this side of the chamber, I am not pro-abortion, but I am pro-choice and I am pro-women’s rights. My message to those who oppose abortion is this: I respect your right as an autonomous individual to make your own choices. I would ask only that you equally respect other women’s right to choose.
Sadly, the ACT Liberal Party does not. Rather than respecting a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her body and her family, members of the ACT Liberal Party take the ultra-conservative position that government should force women to
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