The following is an email which arrived in my Inbox yesterday. Although it only applies to those reading this in Tasmania, or Tasmanians currently out of the state but who normally live here, in terms of encouraging direct ACTION, the issue addressed is one which is affecting many women, unborn children and their families nation wide and around the world. This email came from
                                                                                                  Terri M Kelleher
                                                                                                  Victorian President
                                                                                                   Australian Family Association

I would like to quote the email message verbatim, as follows:

URGENT - ACTION ALERT - URGENT

Tasmanian Reproductive Health (Access to Abortion) Bill 2013 will probably be introduced into the Upper House next Tuesday or Wednesday, 11 or 12 June.

ACTION:

It is urgent that you write or email your Upper House member asking him/ her to vote against the bill which will allow abortion to birth without any requirement to inform the woman of all health risks and will deny doctors freedom of conscience and deny the right to free speech to anyone who would express any opposition.

I would urge you to follow up your letter or email by ringing your member. The personal connection is very important as MP's are getting so many emails the impact can be diminished. You can use or adapt the following points for your letter/email/phone call:

-The Reproductive Health (Access to Abortion) Bill 2013 does not just decriminalise abortion. Abortion is already legal under Section 164 of the Criminal Code if two doctors certify that the continuation of the pregnancy would involve greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman than continuing the pregnancy. And there is no realistic threat of prosecution.

- This bill is a complete liberalisation of the abortion law so that there are no protections for the woman. There is no requirement for a woman to be given full information about the medical risks of abortion nor about pregnancy options.

- Up to 16 weeks "informed consent" is not required. (Proposed Section 4)

- Proposed Section 7(2) would require a doctor with a conscientious objection to abortion to refer a woman seeking an abortion or "pregnancy options advice" to another doctor who the first doctor reasonably believes has no such objection. This denies the doctor the right to freedom of conscience and restricts a woman's "choice"as the doctor, even if he/she is a woman's GP, would be legally required to refer the woman to another doctor.

- Proposed Section 7(3) would further deny a woman the freedom to decide what advice she wants and where to seek such advice by requiring a counsellor with a conscientious objection to abortion to refer a woman to a counsellor who has no such objection.

Regards,

Terri M Kelleher,

Victorian President,

Australian Family Association.

After reading the above, you may wonder why a woman from Victoria is actively urging Tasmanians to act concerning Abortion law reforms in Tasmania. The fact is that since the Abortion Law reforms in Victoria were legislated in 2008, Victoria has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the world, with abortions being allowed up until full term.
In June 2011, Seven News reported that full term abortions at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne had increased by 600%.

It appears that Tasmania is seeking to change the law relating to abortion using the Victorian experience as a model.

As well as responding to the above by contacting your Upper House members, there is an online Legislative Council petition against the proposed law changes, which can be accessed on the ACL website (Australian Christian Lobby)