NEW ZEALAND – Abortion Law Reform Bill passes first reading by wide margin

NEW ZEALAND – Abortion Law Reform Bill passes first reading by wide margin

by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
Aug 16, 2019

The long awaited, draft abortion law reform bill passed its first reading, 94 to 23, in the Parliament on 8 August 2019. “The biggest change was taking it out of the criminal code, which is very positive,” reported Jackie Edmond, head of Family Planning NZ, since abortion services were still managed through the Ministry of Justice, even though it’s a health service.

In the last 10 years, 2,566 women have been told that their request for an abortion was unjustified, according to a report from Stuff Circuit, an investigative reporting group, with data from the NZ Abortion Supervisory Committee.

ALRANZ reports that much of the new bill is great, but not everything. Here are the things Terry Bellamak says the government definitely got right:

Continued: https://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/new-zealand-abortion-law-reform-bill-passes-first-reading-by-wide-margin/


New Zealand – Terry Bellamak: Law commission has its work cut out on abortion

Terry Bellamak: Law commission has its work cut out on abortion
6 Apr, 2018
NZ Herald
By: Terry Bellamak

In February the Minister of Justice, Andrew Little, asked the Law Commission to undertake a review of New Zealand's abortion laws in order to transform abortion from a criminal matter to a health matter. It's a big job. It amounts to nothing less than reconceptualising abortion in the eyes of the law.

It is also a huge opportunity to bring relief to pregnant people who will be consumers of this service in the future.

Continued: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12026649


New Zealand: Forty-year abortion law, described as ‘offensive’, in fact still good, says Government

Forty-year abortion law, described as 'offensive', in fact still good, says Government
by Stacey Kirk
March 17, 2017

A 40-year abortion law that still refers to people with impaired mental capacity as "subnormal", does not need changing, says the Government.

Justice Minister Amy Adams said the law might be outdated, but it was workable and the Government had higher priorities.

"The Government has a busy legislative programme focused on issues that affect large numbers of New Zealanders, such as family and sexual violence, money laundering and vulnerable children to name just a few.

Continued at source: Stuff.co: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90534269/fortyyear-abortion-law-described-as-offensive-in-fact-still-good-says-government


New Zealand: Govt accused of mixed messages on abortion

Govt accused of mixed messages on abortion
14 March 2017

Craig McCulloch, Political Reporter

Pro-choice protesters - in response to anti-abortion protesters - outside an abortion clinic in Thames (file). Photo: Change.Org

The Abortion Supervisory Committee has called for the legislation to be updated to reflect modern society and will make its case to MPs on Thursday.

Under the current law, a woman can have an abortion only after two doctors agree that continuing the pregnancy would seriously harm her health.

Continued at source: Radio New Zealand: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/326603/govt-accused-of-mixed-messages-on-abortion


New Zealand: Prime Minister Bill English won’t ‘liberalise’ abortion law

Prime Minister Bill English won't 'liberalise' abortion law

by Jo Mair
March 12, 2017

Prime Minister Bill English says New Zealand's abortion law, part of the Crimes Act 1961, has "stood the test of time".

Any review of abortion law is code for "liberalising it", says Prime Minister Bill English, and that's not going to happen on his watch.

The Abortion Advisory Committee is calling for an update of New Zealand's abortion laws, which are still part of the Crimes Act 1961.

But the committee's recommendations are unlikely to make any headway under a National government, as staunchly Catholic English says it's a "law that's stood the test of time".

Continued at source: Stuff.co: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90337753/prime-minister-bill-english-wont-liberalise-abortion-law