2023-03-07
Responding to reports that women seeking abortions are being turned away from public hospitals Greens Women’s Rights Spokesperson Jenny Leong MP said:
“Three years on from the decriminalisation of abortion, it is unacceptable that women seeking abortion are still facing massive barriers to access.
“The Greens want to see public, free access to abortion and reproductive healthcare in NSW -- including massively improving the access for women in regional areas.
“Leaving our public healthcare system struggling without funding is an anti-choice, political choice. It goes against the very action taken by NSW Parliament to decriminalise abortion.
“Unless all women and people can access free abortion and reproductive healthcare, when and where they need to, our healthcare system is denying the right to choose.
“Abortion decriminalisation was a generations-long struggle – we cannot afford to go backwards on our reproductive rights.
“Neither the NSW Liberal Nationals or NSW Labor have a clear stance on ensuring the right to choose with some very loud anti-choice voices in both their camps.
“The Greens are unashamedly, unwaveringly and unreservedly pro-choice. It is not a matter of conscience when it is voted on in Parliament, it is our policy. We 100% support abortion rights, every MP, every vote, every time.
“The Greens back free, safe, and legal access to abortion and reproductive healthcare in NSW – no matter where someone lives, how much money they have, or the doctor they see.”
Albury-Wodonga GP and abortion provider, Greens Upper House candidate Dr Amanda Cohn said:
“Reproductive health care is health care and should be accessible through public health services.
“As an abortion provider I was overjoyed when the NSW Parliament removed abortion from the crimes act in 2019, but that hasn’t been followed up with any meaningful action to improve access to services.
“I have cared for far too many patients who have had to shop around to find an abortion service and still travel long distances or interstate,” Dr Cohn said.
Media Contact: Andrew Bradley p: 0412 500 009 e: andrew.bradley@nsw.greens.org.au