A new abortion debate

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June 2005

A new abortion debate

The recent renewal of debate about abortion in Australia is to be welcomed. This briefing attempts to observe what is being said; how opponents of abortion might respond; and what might be said to change the terms of the debate.

What is being said

Opponents question the high rate of abortion, and contemplate changes to Medicare funding, or law reform to outlaw late term abortion. Some think the issue should be handled by state, not federal politicians.

Decisions about pregnancies are between a woman and her doctor. Men should not speak about, nor propose policies concerning, abortion.

There is no clear agreement upon the facts. There seems to be a refusal to discuss fundamental moral questions and whether our current high abortion rate is problematic.

A minimum response from the opponents of abortion

Opponents of abortion might not oppose changes to Medicare funding; some would not wholeheartedly support such changes. Such changes would say that abortion is a moral issue serious enough for our leadership to challenge current practices.

Resist being sidelined by questions of states rights.

A woman's 'private' decisions are not made in a vacuum. We should not accept that men have nothing to say on these matters. The decisions that women make are complex - we should seek to address this.

Changing the terms of debate

The debate is polarised. A more interesting, politically unloseable response, which will save many more babies, may be that we recognise that simply tightening the law, or restricting funding, is not an adequate response. Rather, we seek to understand what causes women to abort, and seek a society where women can afford to bond to the children they carry.

To this end, we might propose policies and initiatives such as discussions about the reasons behind decisions to terminate, and study of which women are more likely to terminate.

We may offer help for young women to learn to care for and nurture children - offering a real 'choice' and renewed consideration of adoption policies.

Fostering of research into medical culture, auditing fertility clinics, Family Planning Associations, abortion centres and law reform for doctors who deliver disabled children. Reappointment of a Minister for Children

It is interesting to note that US abortion rates dropped under 'pro-choice' Clinton and rose under 'pro-life' Bush. One guess is that the Clinton administration's welfare policies made it possible for young women to work and to keep their children.

Extract from #032: 'In search of a new abortion debate' a briefing paper by Andrew Cameron and Tracy Gordon of the Social Issues Executive, Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The complete briefing may be found at the website.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				June 2005

		A new abortion debate The recent renewal of debate about abortion in Australia is to be welcomed. This briefing attempts to observe what is being said; how opponents of abortion might respond; and what might be said to change the terms of the debate. What is being said Opponents question the high rate of abortion, and contemplate changes to Medicare funding, or law reform to outlaw late term abortion. Some think the issue should be handled by state, not federal politicians. Decisions about pregnancies are between a woman and her doctor. Men should not speak about, nor propose policies concerning, abortion. There is no clear agreement upon the facts. There seems to be a refusal to discuss fundamental moral questions and whether our current high abortion rate is problematic. A minimum response from the opponents of abortion Opponents of abortion might not oppose changes to Medicare funding; some would not wholeheartedly support such changes. Such changes would say that abortion is a moral issue serious enough for our leadership to challenge current practices. Resist being sidelined by questions of states rights. A woman's 'private' decisions are not made in a vacuum. We should not accept that men have nothing to say on these matters. The decisions that women make are complex - we should seek to address this. Changing the terms of debate The debate is polarised. A more interesting, politically unloseable response, which will save many more babies, may be that we recognise that simply tightening the law, or restricting funding, is not an adequate response. Rather, we seek to understand what causes women to abort, and seek a society where women can afford to bond to the children they carry. To this end, we might propose policies and initiatives such as discussions about the reasons behind decisions to terminate, and study of which women are more likely to terminate. We may offer help for young women to learn to care for and nurture children - offering a real 'choice' and renewed consideration of adoption policies. Fostering of research into medical culture, auditing fertility clinics, Family Planning Associations, abortion centres and law reform for doctors who deliver disabled children. Reappointment of a Minister for Children It is interesting to note that US abortion rates dropped under 'pro-choice' Clinton and rose under 'pro-life' Bush. One guess is that the Clinton administration's welfare policies made it possible for young women to work and to keep their children. Extract from #032: 'In search of a new abortion debate' a briefing paper by Andrew Cameron and Tracy Gordon of the Social Issues Executive, Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The complete briefing may be found at the website.