"Democratic Labor Party Senator John Madigan wants abortion discussed as part of this year’s election campaign and last night criticised Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott for their views on the subject".
"“For those of us who for decades have fought for justice for the unborn, it galls me to watch political candidates strut around seeking votes from pro-life groups only to hear their entourage proclaiming platitudes,” he said.
Read more here
Moyra Shields has written an article calling for greater abortion services in Wagga, NSW. (ABC -'Women's group 'lifts lid' on abortion restrictions', Nov 4, 2011).
The president of the management committee of the Wagga Wagga Women's Health Centre, Jan Roberts, said that girls and women having to travel for abortions was "costing individuals and the wider community".
Ms Roberts also said that "Unless you've got financial backing, a support person to take a trip somewhere else away from town, have the knowledge, know where to go, know who to contact, you end up letting it go and then it becomes too late and that is the bulk of situations." Although she has not provided any evidence that this is indeed true, Ms Roberts has 'hit the nail on the head' in talking about the lack of information and support made available. If women and girls struggle to find someone to drive them to an abortion clinic, how difficult must it be for them to find ongoing practical and emotional support to continue unplanned and challenging pregnancies! How many of the women/girls who do travel for abortions would keep their babies if Wagga offered excellent support services?
Ms Roberts says "the reality is many young women are being landed with unwanted pregnancies" - but she should be saying "unsupported pregnancies", which is closer to the mark. A phrase from Feminists for Life comes to mind ..that "Abortion is a reflection that the needs of women are not being met."
The New South Wales Minister for Women, Pru Goward, said that "if the community wants more terminations offered locally, it needs to speak up because there should be a choice". She then goes on to describe the "pretty obvious answers" for the Wagga community: "Talk to them about options, about contraception, their right to say no"; "Talk to them about the wonderful opportunities that are available for young women and the fact that you can leave parenthood until you're in your 20s"; and "If there's no termination service in Wagga, that's something the community's really got to take ownership of and demand a change in". Interestingly, she does not make a single mention of offering pregnancy or parenting support to these girls, nor does she even mention the option of adoption. It is pretty clear what "choice" Ms Goward is all about. One would imagine that if offering "choice", Ms Goward would include a range of options.
In her statement that "teen pregnancies are particularly sad as the girls have many more years to choose to have children", Ms Goward reinforces the myth that girls become 'un-pregnant' and can put off having their babies until later. In fact, if they abort, they are still mothers - but of dead babies!
Ms Goward also reinforces negative stereotypes surrounding "unacceptable" pregnancies, in this case teenage pregnancies. The following statements made by her (and others) are discriminating, dis-empowering and simply untrue! She said: that "To have them (babies) as teenagers when they get robbed of their own childhood"; "they deny themselves educational opportunities"; "when they often really struggle to be good mums, although many of them are good mums" (which is it?!!); "It is a very sad indictment of a community that can't offer those girls a better choice." ("Better "choice" for whom?!). She also said that "Life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one chance at being young." Seriously, could Ms Goward be any more miserable and negative if she tried!??
One young Mum from the Riverina, Taylor, who was pregnant at seventeen said that it is unfair to make generalisations about teen Mums. She said that if Mums are to be judged, it should be on their individual merits...not that judging mothers is helpful anyway. "It is about who you are as a person". Taylor added that "My little boy has made my life amazing - I love watching him grow and the little milestones he has. It makes me feel I have achieved so much."
Ms Roberts also discriminates against those who, for religious (or other) reasons exercise their right to practice medicine according to their conscience. She made the following statements: "A large percentage of our medical practitioners are of various Christian persuasions who will not perform these operations"; "In our public system we have the same issue. Even nursing staff are given an option on whether to participate if a termination were to happen";and "So to me it is a stranglehold of the Catholic Church on our services in Wagga."
Interestingly, according to Ms Roberts, the right to "choice" only applies if you are her side of the abortion debate.
As can be seen from yet another pro abortion article, the rhetoric has not changed. "Choice" being discussed, but with only abortion being promoted, reference to religion and the "stranglehold" of the Catholic Church, more negative stereotypes about teenagers wasting their youth and again...no mention what abortion procedures entail or of babies.
Life Network Australia maintains that "Women (babies and families) deserve better than abortion" (Feminists for Life, U.S), that "Abortion hurts women" and that girls/women are strong and courageous and are capable of great things, even under challenging circumstances.
I sent the following letter to the ABC, to Ms. Goward, to the Attorney General of NSW and to my local and federal Members of Parliament:
"Hi,
As the 'Women's Council' representative for the Liberal Party of the
Deniliquin Branch (Riverina), I wish to respond to the ABC's recent article
in which there is a call for abortion services in Wagga, and insist that Ms
Goward's pro abortion comments do not represent the view of the local Liberal
Party members, or of the Riverina community. In fact, there is a very strong
pro life movement within the Riverina, with active pro life groups based in
Deniliquin and Albury.
As a Liberal Party member and a mother of
five, I find Ms Goward's comment
about teenagers "only having one shot at
being young", to be grossly
discriminatory and inappropriate - supporting
negative stereotypes around
"unacceptable pregnancies." In fact, I am
extremely proud of the outstanding
job teen mothers do in our own community
of Deniliquin. All of the teenage
mothers I know personally do not regret
their decision to have their
babies... and are fantastic mums!
I was
disappointed to not read of Ms Goward calling for more pregnancy and
parenting support services, like Zoe Foundation Australia, which is based in
Mildura. This new initiative does not engage in the life/choice debate, but
recognises a strong need within the Sunraysia district, for girls to have
access to support, which simply is not available.
Indeed it is a lack
of support in many regions of Australia, with girls
having to choose between
their education, careers, partners, parents etc and
their babies that leaves
these teens with no "choice" but to abort.
The article supported the myth
that girls can put off becoming mothers until
a more convenient time, when
in fact if they choose to abort, they are still
mothers - but of dead
babies!
Wagga and the Riverina do not need greater access to abortion
services, they
need state and local governments to acknowledge the
courageous and
outstanding job teens (and other mums) do in having and
raising their babies
and to support them to continue their education and
employment
opportunities, should they choose to remain at school or get a
job. Zoe
Foundation Australia, amongst other things, provides teen mums with
transport, baby and maternity items, support during labour - whatever they
need.
A study in Tasmania showed that the outcomes for teenage mums
improved,
as they adopted an attitude of
responsibility and a drive to do well in life. Another recent collation of
studies (meta
analysis) recently published in the British Journal of
Psychiatry (Dr Priscilla Coleman) of some 900,000 women showed that abortion
(compared to giving birth) dramatically increased problems of suicide, drug
and alcohol
abuse, relationship breakdown, depression, self harm
etc.
On behalf of the girls, women, families and babies of the Riverina,
I reject
the call for greater abortion services in the Riverina and insist
that our
teens (I have two) deserve better than abortion. I also call on Ms
Gower to
keep her negative opinions about teenage motherhood to herself - a
teen
pregnancy is not the end of a life, but the beginning of a new life
(albeit
with challenges) with a baby.
Sonja Couroupis (address and phone number supplied).
Mr. Brumby has betrayed families, stolen the rights of parents and is providing abortions to underage children.
It is apalling that Mr. Brunby and his pro abortion supporters have now made it possible for girls under the age of 18 to have abortions without the consent or even knowledge of their parents.
An article by the Herald Sun reveals an alarming figure - that more than 3,350 young women under 20 years of age had abortions in Victoria last year - nine each day. The article states "The shocking number of unwanted pregnancies included 209 abortions performed on girls under 16, several without their parents' knowledge. At least two 12-year-olds had terminations".
It is a great concern that these girls may also not have the advice, resources and support to make an informed decision regarding their pregnancy. Negative attitudes in society about teenagers having babies would make a decision to keep their unborn baby very difficult. There is also an increased likelihood of coercion to abort due to the mother (and perhaps her partner) being so young. It is deceptive to inform a girl that things go back to how they were before or that she can replace this baby with another when she is older. Research shows the damage abortion does to women, psychologically and physically here - at such an impressionable age, there is potential for years of grief and regret.
Bizarrely, youths under the age of 18 must have parental consent to have piercings done, but not to abort an unborn baby. Access to abortion under the age of 18 without parental consent also raises issues of child protection, mandatory reporting and potentially offers offenders protection from prosecution for crimes such as incest and sexual child abuse.
This is unacceptable legislation. We, as parents, deserve better and our kids deserve protection that Brumby is unwilling to offer them.
The push for sex education in schools continues by many who seem to have a conflict of interest in that they work for agencies that also provide abortions. As parents we need to be aware of who is teaching our children (or supplying program material to teachers) and what they are being taught about sex.
According to an article in The Herald Sun, Ms. Richards, nursing director at one of the state's busiest private abortion clinics (the clinic is unnamed in the article), "many young women lacked skills to help them negotiate with partners and were frequently forced or persuaded to have sex against their will". She reportedly asked 'Did you agree to this?' and according to this source, the girls commonly responded, 'Well ... yes. I didn't really want to, but I didn't know how to say no'. The Herald Sun also reported that 'A survey recently revealed a third of high school students have had unwanted sex' (details of this survey were not included).
It is a great concern that the girls described in this situation may also not have the advice, resources and support to make an informed and mature decision regarding their pregnancy. Negative attitudes in society about teenagers having babies would make a decision to keep their unborn baby very difficult. There is also an increased likelihood of coercion to abort due to the mother (and perhaps her partner) being so young.
It is deceptive to inform a girl that things go back to how they were before or that she can replace this baby with another when she is older. Research shows the damage abortion does to women, psychologically and physically - at such an impressionable age, there is potential for years of grief and regret.
The Herald Sun article goes on to say that more sex education is needed in schools and that youth are unaware of the risks involved with having sex. We would all hope that the relentless push for sex education is aimed at better guiding our youth in responsible decision making regarding their sexual behaviour, an important role that would ideally be filled by parents.
Life Network Australia has responded here to negative reporting of values based programs, such as 'Choices, Decisions, Outcomes' (Real Choices Australia) and The Wonder of Life (In the Womb) (Choices of Life) that unashamedly encourage girls and youth to value themselves and respect their bodies.
Deb Garratt of Real Choices Australia described that "They (parents) want their children to understand their value and worth, to have self respect and to understand sexuality as an important and valuable aspect of themselves, not simply a ‘recreational’ activity".
Ms. Garratt also stated that "our program teaches young people that, as with any other activity they may not want to participate in, that they can develop strategies for saying ‘no’. Sex is not just about physiology, it is also about relationship, and about our emotional selves. Teaching the physiology of sex in the absence of a relationship context, and in the absence of also teaching about possible consequences, is both irresponsible and dishonest".
"What it (our program) does is encourage young people to be critical thinkers, to think ahead to the consequences of their actions, and these consequences do include the possibility of pregnancy and of sexually transmitted infections, some of which are lifelong diseases, not just a short lived ‘love bug’".
'The Wonder of life (Before Birth)' was removed from the list of programs approved by the NSW Education Department when The Sydney Morning Herald published an article citing its creator, Bruce Coleman, had historic links to pro life groups. What is bizarre about the removal of this program is that it is merely footage and discussion of life in the womb. One would think this would already be part of all school curriculums.
According to the Herald Sun article (Nov. 21), the Federal Government is devising national sex education curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
We should be concerned that groups who benefit financially, such as Marie Stopes, Family Planning, Children by Choice, etcetera are increasingly being allowed into Australian schools and are becoming the "sexperts" in the lives of our youth. With the decriminalising of abortion in Victoria last year, girls under the age of 18 are now able to get abortions without parental consent/knowledge....could the abortion industry be increasing their education campaign to increase business? According to the Herald Sun article, "The number of under-age girls ending pregnancies came despite a drop in the total number of terminations last year" and "State Government data shows 16,084 Victorian women had terminations in 2008-09 - a 12 per cent dip since 2005-06".
While some may question this planning/scheming and believe that the intentions of most sex educators are genuine, this awful scenario has been documented in the United States where the aim of Planned Parenthood was to provide every girl between the ages of 13 and 18 years with three abortions. Please view trailer Blood Money.
As parents and as a society we must ensure the protection of our youth, offering appropriate information, guidance and support. Sex education by groups who also offer abortion services is not acceptable. Our youth deserve better!
The ABC broadcasted a short but intense debate on 'Questions and Answers' (Q and A) on Thursday, October 29.
Panellists included:
Bill Shorten - Labor's Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Childrens' Services
Tony Abbott - Shadow Minister for Families and Community Services
Jonathan Biggins - Satirist
Catherine Deveny - Comedian and columnist, The Age
Bettina Arndt - Commentator and author, The Sex Diaries
Tune in at 27 mins 27 secs here.
In this section of the show, comedian and columnist for The Age, Catherine Deveny, proudly stated that she had had an abortion herself and rudely mocked Tony Abbott for his faith, attempting to disqualify his opinion. In response, Tony Abbott remained composed (as always) and conveyed his ongoing support and concern for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies.
Ms Deveny argued for greater access to chemical abortions, stating they are "incredibly easy, incredibly safe"!! There was a lot of misinformation, such as this, presented in this one sided debate and as usual, not a single mention of the more than 100,000 babies inhumanely aborted annually in Australia nor any feedback from women who have experienced abortion and suffered as a result.
Reference was (yet again) made to the case of 19 year old Teagan Leach who has been disgracefully exploited by pro aborts lobbying for liberal abortion laws in Queensland. At one point a speaker made the comment about "women taking to the streets" if Ms. Leach is charged (for importing an illegal, unapproved drug to procur an abortion - raising issues of safety). Thousands have marched through the streets of Melbourne in 2008 and this year in October, opposing the legalisation of abortion, but again....not a mention!
Even Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh was criticised for not supporting changes to abortion law, as she was "pro abortion in her university years"...perhaps Ms. Bligh has come to understand the issue of abortion more than she did as a nineteen year old uni student!
Mr. Abbott stated his concern about Australia's enormous abortion rate and stated that by legalising abortion, it sends a message that "more is okay".
As can be seen, we have a lot of work to do to inform (and challenge) our leaders, the media, women and society of the risks of abortion, the reality of abortion procedures and the damage abortion does to society. Women, families and society deserve better than abortion.
Feedback to Q and A may be sent here.
Marissa Calligeros ('Abortion women told: 'see a lawyer first',October 26, 2009) reports that a Queensland Health consent form (draft) was sent to obstetricians last week. This draft form advises patients of the medical risks and outlines the "psychiatric risks" , including depression and "anxiety disorders", associated with abortion. The draft consent form also encourages women to seek independent legal advice.
Abortion is currently unlawful in Queensland unless it is performed to "preserve the woman from serious harm to her life or physical or mental health".
The article makes (yet another) mention of Tegan Leach, a 19 year old Cairns woman who was "charged earlier this year for procuring her own miscarriage, while her partner Sergie Brennan, 21, was charged for procuring a miscarriage and supplying a drug, namely misoprostol". The ongoing exploitation of this young couple by the pro abortion lobby is inexcusable. The young couple were, in fact, charged with importing an illegal drug, not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to induce an abortion, which raises issues of safety. The situation of this young couple in crisis has been splashed on newspapers all around the world in what can only be described as a heartless campaign by those pushing for liberal abortion laws in Queensland.
Ms.Calligeros reports that "Since Leach's arrest, doctors have lobbied the State Government to include medical abortions, using labor-inducing drugs, in the criminal code, which previously accounted for surgical abortions only". It is questionable whether the financial beneficiaries of abortion should have any input into what is (or isn't) included in the criminal code.
The Queensland Health Consent form (draft) states that "When all of the requirements of this consent form have been fulfilled, Queensland Health considers that the treating team may lawfully perform the termination of pregnancy."
Caroline de Costa, Cairns gynaecologist, in opposition to the consent form draft, stated that "the form would only alarm women already facing the trauma of a termination" and that "It would be very disconcerting at the least and probably quite frightening to be confronted with this."
Ms de Costa also commented that "It's very hard for a woman to make a decision about abortion for herself anyway and to be confronted with the news that she may be committing a crime and she needs to understand this as well as the medical implications of having the procedure or not having it is a huge burden to place on her".
Many doctors, groups and individuals oppposed to abortion have argued strongly that women are often not aware of what the procedure entails, possible risks, or of options other than abortion and that the abortion industry is thriving due to this lack of knowledge and information. The burden placed on women is even greater, often unbearable, when the implications of having an abortion are realised too late.
Cairns doctor, Dr. Tim Doyle asked "What is so wrong with giving women all the information on abortion?" He applauded the Queensland Government saying "Full marks to the State Government for giving women all the facts on abortion so that they can make an informed choice, particularly when under pressure from abortionists or a male friend to have an abortion. The current abortion law in Queensland empowers women to make the choice to choose NOT to have an abortion when under such pressure".
Other feedback on the Brisbane Times website also expressed frustration at the lack of opinion sought (by media outlets) from anyone other than those supportive of the abortion industry, in this case Caroline de Costa.
Sonja Couroupis, President of Life Network Australia, also welcomes the move by the Queensland Government, stating that "Women and families deserve to know all the facts and they deserve better support and options than they are currently being provided with - this is a huge step forward to empowering women who in many cases feel overwhelmed by the lack of information and support made available to them in difficult circumstances".
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