2022-05-11
The Australian Greens have proudly backed a statement by Children by Choice in support of reproductive rights and access to legal, safe and timely abortion for all Australians.
All members of the federal party room have also individually signed the pledge.
Lines attributable to Greens leader Adam Bandt:
“Access to a safe abortion should be a basic health service and an inalienable right in this country.
“It is critical we maintain government support for abortions as part of the provision of comprehensive reproductive health services.
“Thanks to decades of activism and advocacy, abortion is now legal in all Australian states and territories. But Australians are wondering how secure these rights are when the Assistant Minister for Women spoke at an anti-abortion rally last week, and when the Prime Minister, and now Labor too, remains committed to the divisive Religious Discrimination Bill.
“Around the world we’ve seen the rise of right-wing governments fueling culture wars and trying to wind back the rights of women, LGBTIQA+ people, and other minority communities. Australia is not immune to these legislative threats from those that seek to do us harm.
“The Greens will fight any attacks on reproductive healthcare, and the basic human rights that should be afforded to all Australians."
Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters:
“The impending decision of the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade is extremely disappointing and I’m disgusted that some Australian parliamentarians have used the opportunity to call for a winding back of our own hard-won reproductive rights.
“We should be expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, not making it harder for people to receive care. Reproductive health remains expensive and inaccessible for many, especially those who already face massive healthcare barriers, including First Nations people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“There’s also a lack of sexual and reproductive health services in remote and regional Australia, where people are often forced to travel long distances, at significant expense, to get care.
“The Greens will resist any attempt in Australia to wind back reproductive rights. And we’ll continue to fight for everyone’s right to legal, free and safe pregnancy termination services through the public health system, a full range of contraception options and unbiased counselling - no matter who they are or where they live.”