Media Statement by Fiona Patten MP
Nurse-led abortions is one of the key reforms that ought to be sought this week when all state and territories ministers sit down with the federal minister, Katy Gallagher, to buttress and streamline Australia’s abortion laws.
Another is liberating access to medical termination (using a substance called mifepristone) – non-surgical abortion. Law on this has not been updated for a decade and is failing women and medicos by preventing due use of this option.
A third is producing national coherence and consistency to the laws. Abortion is legal throughout Australia, but the laws differ, causing differences in access and costs. The 2020 Women’s Health Strategy opened the door to a national approach.
The ministers should also look at making abortion and family planning affordable and available at hospitals, which ought not have an institutional right to refuse such crucial services.
There is so much progress to be made here. The safe zones around abortion clinics introduced as a result of my legislation is but a small part of the voyage.
The ministers have a wonderful opportunity this week to put public interest above politics.
