2015-10-26
With Queensland medical experts saying women are travelling to other states to have abortions, the Palaszczuk Government must get rid of our state’s archaic laws that still list abortion as a crime.
Qld Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said:
“Queensland women should not be treated as criminals for wanting control over their own bodies.
“Many Queensland women who want to have an abortion may not have the money to travel to another state where laws reflect the mainstream view that abortion is not a crime.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that despite our gender-balanced state Cabinet, the Palaszczuk Government is failing women by showing no signs of decriminalising abortion.
“Our state’s abortion laws are the worst in the country.
“Women are only able to legally have an abortion in Queensland where a doctor finds their mental or physical health is at risk.
“Setting these legal hurdles limits the number of doctors who perform abortions and therefore restricts access, especially in regional areas.
“The Palaszczuk Government needs to decriminalise abortion in line with the dominant community belief that it’s a woman’s right to choose,” Senator Waters said.
Contact – Monique Vandeleur 0419 626 725