Queensland Senator Larissa Waters says the majority of Australians support abortion – but too many women can’t access these services.
Even in 2015 in Australia, there are still a few ultra-right-wing, out-dated voices trying to undermine women’s reproductive rights.
Thankfully though, there is a whole host of amazing women – leaders in advocacy, medicine, allied health and law – who are working to ensure women have the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion and access to one if they do choose to.
I had the opportunity to hear from many of these women on Friday at the Abortion in Australia conference, held in Brisbane by leading Queensland women’s organisation Children by Choice.
Abortion law was a key focus, and the myriad of differing rules depending on where you live makes it difficult for women to understand their options.
Read more: “I owe my life to my mother’s abortion.”
It is possible to get an abortion in any State or Territory in Australia (you can find more info here), but the circumstances and restrictions differ.
It’s shocking and thoroughly unacceptable that in Queensland and New South Wales, abortion is technically considered a crime – it’s listed in our antiquated criminal laws, literally written in the 1800s.
These ridiculously archaic laws can make what is already a difficult decision all the more confusing, stigmatised and disempowering.
Read more: A very different kind of abortion story from someone who has been there. Twice.
When nearly a third of Australian women will seek an abortion over their lifetime, it’s time our laws reflected modern values that trust women and empower them to make decisions about their own bodies. Abortion should be decriminalised. And more than that, it should be safe, legal and affordable.
More than 80 per cent of Australians believe a woman should have the right to choose whether or not she has an abortion.
While a woman’s right to choose is widely accepted by the community, the reality is that abortion is out of reach for many women because it’s too expensive, services are too far away, or both.
For example in Western Australia, all public and private services are in Perth, leaving extremely limited access outside the capital city of this massive state.
For more: ‘My best friends judged me over a hypothetical abortion’.
While in Queensland where abortion is technically a crime except for some particular prescribed circumstances, 99% of abortions are carried out through the private health system – where they can cost between $500 and $1000.
Wonderful not-for-profit organisations like Children by Choice, of which I am proud to be a patron, exist to give women free unbiased, counselling and to help women choosing to have an abortion to cover the costs and to get to a clinic.
Top Comments
Senator Waters needs to explain what safe guards she would put in place. Women often make the decision to abort because of a lack of support or even pressure from loved ones. Women with an unplanned pregnancy are often vulnerable and making an important decision at a time of high emotion. Why not advocate for more support services? Does the Senator advocate for abortion to be available once the baby is viable, such as the VIC laws that allow for abortion for any reason right up to birth? The VIC laws are frankly abhorrent. Babies that are born alive by mistake have no requirement to be saved.
In QLD abortion is often considered the only option as adoption is not even able to be contemplated until after the birth. Why are we accepting of ultruistic surrogacy and egg donations as being life giving and yet not able to accept adoption as a viable option?
It is easy for pro choice advocates to sight rape as a example. What about when a woman just thinks a child will inconvenience her lifestyle? Does the reason change the act?
What about the woman who realizes after the birth that looking after a child is not that easy?
No the reason doesn't change the act. Women can abort a fetus for whatever reason they choose!!!
No need to change the act. The only reason a woman needs for having an abortion is because "she wants to have it". It's her body and her choice, end of.
A woman should be able to decide what happens to her body and anything inside it at any time she chooses
'When nearly a third of Australian women will seek an abortion over their lifetime'
'More than 80 per cent of Australians believe a woman should have the right to choose whether or not she has an abortion.'
I believe your stats, but does it really take that much effort to put down where your stats come from? Instead i have to go and try to find the studies you are talking about if i want more information.