Australia: Women Dressed As Handmaids Are Protesting To Get Politicians To Take A Pro-Choice Pledge

Women Dressed As Handmaids Are Protesting To Get Politicians To Take A Pro-Choice Pledge

"The person you vote for could determine whether or not abortion remains in the Criminal Code in Queensland."
Posted on November 18, 2017
Gina Rushton
BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia
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Women dressed in striking red robes and white winged bonnets will protest around Queensland ahead of the state election next Saturday, to remind voters that whether or not abortion remains a crime under state law will be decided by whoever wins at the polls.

The protesters are dressed like the handmaids in TV show The Handmaid’s Tale, an adaptation of the Margaret Atwood classic in which fertile women are denied bodily autonomy and forced to carry pregnancies against their will.

They will call for those running in the election to join more than 140 candidates who have signed a pro-choice pledge, which is run by independent lobby group Fair Agenda and backed by The Human Rights Law Centre, Women’s Legal Service Queensland, White Ribbon and the Queensland Council of Unions.

Continued at source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/women-dressed-as-handmaids-are-protesting-queenslands?utm_term=.wwNV5eMXAv#.mnJ3pMqxwo

New Zealand: This Is Why Abortion Is An Election Issue In Queensland

This Is Why Abortion Is An Election Issue In Queensland

One candidate believes abortion is "state-sanctioned coercion".
Posted on November 09, 2017, 21:23 GMT
Gina Rushton

Whether or not abortion remains a crime in Queensland will likely be decided by who is elected to government on November 25.

In February independent Cairns MP Rob Pyne withdrew bills to decriminalise abortion in Queensland a day before they were due to be debated in parliament, after Liberal National Party opposition leader Tim Nicholls vowed that “every single member” of his party would vote down the legislation.

The legislation would have failed, as Labor MPs had been given a conscience vote on the issue, and other independents had indicated their opposition to abortion.

Continued at source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/abortion-is-becoming-an-election-issue-in-queensland

Australia: A health issue, not a crime: it’s time to scrap outdated abortion laws

A health issue, not a crime: it's time to scrap outdated abortion laws
Archaic abortion laws are still oppressing women in Australia. We should finally step up to medical developments and social expectations

Caroline de Costa, Heather Douglas
Saturday 24 June 2017

On Wednesday the Queensland law reform commission (QLRC) received a reference to consider how Queensland should amend laws relating to termination of pregnancy and remove abortion offences from the criminal code. The QLRC has 12 months to report on how to repeal these archaic Queensland laws dating back to 1861.

Continued at source: The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/24/a-health-issue-not-a-its-time-to-scrap-outdated-abortion-laws

Australia Has A Case Of Deja Vu When It Comes To Abortion Law Reform

Australia Has A Case Of Deja Vu When It Comes To Abortion Law Reform
Two states have rejected abortion decriminalisation this year.

Posted on May 16, 2017
Gina Rushton
BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

All members of the NSW Liberal-National coalition voted against the legislation, which would also have established safe access zones around hospitals and clinics where the procedure is available.

In February, a similar bill was withdrawn from Queensland's parliament the day before it was due to be debated after every member of that state's Liberal-National Party vowed to vote against it.

Here is how decriminalisation similarly failed in both states:

Continued at source: Buzzfeed: https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/australia-has-a-case-of-deja-vu-when-it-comes-to-abortion

Abortion decriminalisation bills withdrawn from Queensland Parliament agenda

Abortion decriminalisation bills withdrawn from Queensland Parliament agenda
Feb 28, 2017
ABC News

A debate to decriminalise abortion in Queensland has been cancelled and the issue postponed until at least the next term of parliament, after LNP MPs indicated they would not support the proposal.

Independent MP Rob Pyne has withdrawn his two bills, which were scheduled for debate tomorrow night.

Instead, the existing laws will be referred to the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) to provide advice that the Labor Government has pledged to enact if it is re-elected.

Continued at source: ABC News: https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/national/abortion-decriminalisation-bills-withdrawn-from-queensland-parliament-agenda/ar-AAnAagP

28.02.2017

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Australia: Qld opposition blocks abortion bills

Qld opposition blocks abortion bills
February 27, 2017
Stuart Layt
Australian Associated Press

Queensland's Liberal National Party opposition will not support the second of a pair of bills reforming abortion law in the state.

The two bills, introduced by independent MP Rob Pyne, look to reform the criminal code to remove abortion as on offence, however concerns have been raised that if only one is passed it could leave women and their doctors in legal limbo.

Opposition leader Tim Nicholls said in a statement every one of his MPs decided not to support the second bill during a party room meeting on Monday.

Continued at source: News.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/qld-opposition-blocks-abortion-bills/news-story/e309d5be61652f0b11bee72d83dcea05

27.02.2017

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Australia: Most want abortion to be decriminalised: Survey

Most want abortion to be decriminalised: Survey
The Courier-Mail
February 20, 2017

MORE than 80 per cent of Queenslanders back decriminalisation of abortion.

A survey of 1201 adults by Fair Agenda found 82 per cent agreed it should be legal for a woman, in consultation with a medical professional, to terminate her pregnancy.

It also found 60 per cent of respondents would be less likely to support an MP who voted to keep abortion as a crime.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/most-want-abortion-to-be-decriminalised-survey/news-story/cf6524931a5ed4dba29d3bbb29d730ec

Australia: No agreement on Qld abortion bill

No agreement on Qld abortion bill
8:06pm February 17, 2017

The LNP members of a Queensland parliamentary committee tasked with investigating a bill to decriminalise abortion have expressed their reservations about the legislation.

The Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Committee handed down its report into independent Cairns MP Rob Pyne's controversial bill on Friday afternoon.

Continued at source: 9news: http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/02/17/12/45/respectful-abortion-debate-needed-premier

17.02.2017

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Queensland MPs answer how they will vote on abortion bills

Queensland MPs answer how they will vote on abortion bills
Felicity Caldwell
17 Feb 2017

The debate over whether to decriminalise abortion in Queensland is set to divide the Parliament.

With debate on the issue to be held next month, Fairfax Media asked all 89 MPs in Queensland how they would vote.

While some members came out strongly in support or against any change to the abortion laws, others were more coy on their personal opinions.

Continued at source: Beau Desert Times: http://www.beaudeserttimes.com.au/story/4474175/queensland-mps-answer-how-they-will-vote-on-abortion-bills/?cs=7

17.02.2017

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Australia: Everything You Need To Know About The Abortion Battle Raging In Queensland

Everything You Need To Know About The Abortion Battle Raging In Queensland
The state of play, the human stories, the legal nitty-gritty.

posted on Feb. 15, 2017
by Gina Rushton

Abortions still occur in the Sunshine State, but women must first overcome legal, financial and geographical barriers to access a termination, and their doctors can face prosecution for performing one.

Queenslanders with unplanned pregnancies have been turned away from hospitals; been dissuaded by their GPs; bought plane tickets to procure an abortion; and experienced harassment outside clinics as there is no law stopping protesters from gathering.

Continued at source: Buzzfeed: https://www.buzzfeed.com/ginarushton/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-abortion-battle-raging

15.02.2017