Queensland parliament passes ‘unprecedented’ gag on abortion debate

Ambush motion, introduced by David Crisafulli, aimed at preventing potential public disunity in LNP ranks by ensuring MPs won’t be forced into a conscience vote

Andrew Messenger
Tue 10 Dec 2024

The Queensland parliament has been banned from debate on abortion for four years after an ambush motion by the premier, David Crisafulli, in a move labelled “unprecedented”.

The motion also requires any “motion or amendment” seeking to have the house “express its views” on abortion be ruled out of order. Opposition and crossbench MPs labelled the move “extraordinary” and “unprecedented”.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/queensland-parliament-passes-unprecedented-gag-on-abortion-debate

10.12.2024

News

David Crisafulli

gag on abortion debate

The abortion speech, the student walkout – and the Catholic civil war

Jordan Baker
December 3, 2024

High-profile conservative Catholic lawyers have warned the Australian Catholic University it faces losing its religious designation if it fails to defend the faith as church leaders split with university bosses in the fallout from an anti-abortion speech on campus.

The warning follows a furious, six-page letter to ACU from Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher, who raised concerns about the ambivalence of the university’s commitment to its Catholic identity.

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-abortion-speech-the-student-walkout-and-the-catholic-civil-war-20241203-p5kvgq.html

03.12.2024

News

Anthony Fisher

Australian Catholic University

Damien Tudehope

Joe de Bruyn

Martin Daubney

St Thomas More Society

Australia – NSW Health apologises to women affected by limited abortion services, following hospital bans in Queanbeyan and Orange

Lucy Barbour
Dec 2, 2024

The New South Wales health secretary has apologised to women who have been unable to access abortion care throughout the state.

It comes after an ABC investigation revealed abortions for non-medical reasons were banned at Orange Hospital and surgical abortions were scrapped at Queanbeyan Hospital.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-02/health-secretary-apologises-to-women-affected-by-abortion-bans/104672562

02.12.2024

News

Abortion Law Reform Act of 2019

Amanda Cohn

conscientious objection

NSW Health Safe Access to Abortion Care Working Group

Orange Hospital

Queanbeyan District Hospital

Australia – Orange Hospital chief blames abortion ban on staff misinterpreting ‘ambiguous’ policy

By Joanna Woodburn, ABC Central West
Nov 28, 2024

A regional New South Wales hospital is carrying out a "deep look" internal audit to identify whose idea it was to have an abortion ban in place and why it was endorsed by executive staff.

Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) head Mark Spittal has spoken for the first time since it emerged Orange Hospital had introduced restrictions on the provision of abortion services.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-29/orange-hospital-chief-blames-abortion-ban-on-ambiguous-policy/104657176

28.11.2024

Western NSW Local Health District

Who can access abortion in Australia?

November 26, 2024
Erica Millar

Abortion is legal in all Australian states and territories. Women, trans men and gender diverse people with a uterus have the option of taking medication to end a pregnancy, or undergoing surgery.

It is estimated that between a quarter to one-third of people with a uterus will have an abortion in their lifetime. But the availability and cost of services depends on where you live and your pregnancy gestation.

So what do the different types of abortion involve? And how do gestation, cost and location affect access?

Continued: https://theconversation.com/who-can-access-abortion-in-australia-243699

26.11.2024

News

abortion access in Australia

Australia – ANU bioethicist questions doctors’ right to conscientiously object to performing abortions

24 November 2024
Oliver Jacques

An Australian National University bioethicist has called for clearer guidelines on when doctors can conscientiously object to performing abortions as calls grow for the service to be provided more widely in NSW.

… Bioethicist Dr Nathan Emmerich recently published a paper which questioned the scope by which doctors could choose not to do abortions due to personal ethical concerns.

https://the-riotact.com/anu-bioethicist-questions-doctors-right-to-conscientiously-object-to-performing-abortions/827742

24.11.2024

News

belief-based care denial

conscientious objection

Australia – Abortion law reform—And the fight for access

Program: Rear Vision - ABC Radio National
Annabelle Quince
Nov 16, 2024
Podcast: 29 minutes

For over a century having or performing an abortion was a crime across Australia – but over the past decade it’s been decriminalised every state and territory. Yet despite being legal - access to an abortion is not equally available to all women. The story of abortion reform in Australia and the fight for access.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/rearvision/abortion-law-reform-and-the-fight-for-access/104453248

16.11.2024

Interviews/Podcasts

abortion law reform

Annabelle Quince

decriminalisation of abortion

Australia – Surgical abortions at Queanbeyan Hospital to be reinstated and region’s service expanded

By Lucy Barbour
Nov 14, 2024

A public hospital in New South Wales is set to reinstate surgical abortion services the day after the ABC revealed it had formally scrapped them.

An ABC investigation exposed that Queanbeyan Hospital, which had been providing surgical terminations, turned a woman away on the day of her scheduled procedure.

In response to that woman's experience, health practitioners warned of an "unspoken ban" and accused the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) of being secretive.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-15/surgical-abortions-at-queanbeyan-hospital-to-be-reinstated/104603266

14.11.2024

News

conscientious objection

Orange Hospital

Queanbeyan District Hospital

Southern NSW Local Health District

Australia – Email proves Queanbeyan Hospital has banned surgical abortions, as pressure mounts on NSW health minister to intervene

Exclusive by national regional affairs reporter Lucy Barbour
Tuesday 12 November

The ABC has uncovered fresh evidence that another public hospital in regional New South Wales has implemented a formal abortion ban. Queanbeyan Hospital was providing surgical terminations for fetal anomalies and medical reasons. But an ABC investigation revealed the service stopped abruptly in August, after a woman was turned away on the day of her planned procedure.

In response to that woman's experience, health practitioners warned of an "unspoken ban". But the ABC has now obtained an email that proves the hospital has formally ceased providing the time-critical health care.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-13/email-proves-queanbeyan-hospital-has-banned-surgical-abortions/104584910

12.11.2024

News

abortion in New South Wales

Amanda Cohn

conscientious objection

fetal anomalies

Michael Holland

Orange Hospital

Queanbeyan District Hospital

Australia – Orange Hospital directs staff to no longer provide abortions to patients without ‘early pregnancy complications’

Exclusive by national regional affairs reporter Lucy Barbour
Thursday 7 November

An explicit ban on abortions for non-medical reasons has been laid down by the executive of a regional New South Wales public hospital, the ABC can reveal.

A leaked document shows that staff at Orange Health Service in Central West NSW can no longer provide abortions for patients with "no identified pregnancy complications".

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-08/orange-hospital-directs-staff-to-stop-providing-some-abortions/104537862