Image: 2024 ReproRights Conference
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Keep abortion safe and accessible
Candidate Campaigns: A Path Forward
We’ve had a small campaign to engage candidates in the Queensland state election in protecting and building on momentum in Queensland to improve people’s access to all options in their pregnancies, as well as access to abortion services. With abortion finally decriminalised and legalised in Queensland in 2018, many pregnant people still face barriers to safe, local abortion services. The future of safe reproductive choices in Queensland hinges on the planned ongoing improvements and actions in Queensland Health’s Women and Girls Strategy 2032. That’s why Children by Choice has been urging all Queenslanders to be informed about the pledges made by their local candidates to support ongoing improvements to abortion access, and to contact those who have not already made a pledge to publicly commit to simple, safe and accessible abortion services.
For over 50 years, Children by Choice has stood alongside women and pregnant people, supported by a diverse community from across all political affiliations, religions, and backgrounds. This diversity highlights one core truth: reproductive rights are human rights. After 46 years of tireless advocacy, we celebrated the decriminalisation of abortion in 2018, removing it from the criminal code and affirming it as a healthcare issue. However, our vigilance continues, as access to safe and timely abortion in Queensland still needs improvement. We are understandably anxious to protect this hard-won access, and we will keep delivering services to pregnant people, educating, advocating, and challenging to ensure equal access to abortion for all.
Children by Choice is urging all Queenslanders to observe the pledges from candidates they have received and to contact their local candidates and ask them, if they have not already, to publicly commit to simple, safe, and accessible abortion services.
We are incredibly proud of the progress Queensland has made so far, but our work isn’t done. We’ve worked hard to ensure that candidates understand the importance of supporting equitable access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.
SOURCE: Children by Choice. ReproWrap Newsletter. E-mail: 30 September 2024
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A debate on abortion laws has reignited, shedding light on smoldering internal party tensions
“I think this unfortunate situation is exactly why a country should never pass an abortion law, even a ‘good’ one – it gives anti-choice people something to attack, amend, challenge, etc.”
Three issues have dominated social policy debate across recent South Australian parliamentary terms — voluntary assisted dying, the decriminalisation of sex work and abortion.
They’ve sparked multiple rallies on North Terrace, late night sittings, thousands of signatures on petitions, as well as dividing opinions within political parties.
Laws around two of the three issues — voluntary assisted dying and abortion — were significantly changed last term, when the Liberal party was in power.
SOURCE: ABC.net.au, by Rory McClaren. 29 September 2024