2018-05-28
The Greens have welcomed the result in the Irish referendum to repeal the 8th amendment to their constitution, and have called for action to address the barriers to abortion that still exist in Australia, including decriminalisation in Queensland and NSW.
“Ireland has spoken loud and clear to remove barriers to abortion, and we congratulate all those who campaigned and voted to achieve this result,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens spokesperson for women.
“Here in Australia, we must ensure abortion is legal, accessible and affordable for anyone who chooses to access one. Currently, that’s not the case.”
“Across Australia, inconsistent laws and services mean access to sexual and reproductive health services including abortion can be expensive, are not always provided via public hospitals, and for rural women or low income women it can be very difficult.”
NSW Greens spokesperson for women, Mehreen Faruqi MLC, said “This is a big win for women in Ireland. It shows the capacity for change when activists persist with conviction. The community momentum to decriminalise abortion in NSW is huge and it’s time to push and make it happen.”
The Greens’ lead senate candidate for Queensland Larissa Waters said, “Like Ireland, polls show the majority of Queenslanders support abortion being legalised - and 119 years on it’s time for the state government to modernise our criminal laws to put women in charge of their own bodies.”
Media Release Women