Accusations of unfair tactics in Auzzy conscience vote on Abortion pill RU-486
Kym | 06.02.2006 01:53 | Gender | Health
As the Australian Parliament prepares to have a conscience vote on whether to take control of the abortion drug RU-486 drug away from the HEALTH Minister Tony Abbott (Lib) accusations of unfair tactics from groups wishing to make their case are emerging.
Senator Allison (Dem) has accused some who are campaigning against the change of using misleading arguments and unreliable surveys.
"The problem with those who are strongly opposed to abortion has been that their arguments are rather thin," Senator Allison said.
"They've suggested for instance this drug is unsafe and yet they're not prepared to see the [Therapeutic Goods Administration] test whether it’s safe or not."
Pro Life groups have claimed that a February 2005 survey by American Market research giant, Market Facts of 1200 people demonstrated that 51% of all Australians were now oppose abortion. Australia has a population of just over 21 million.
Clearly designed to be misleading the Pro Life lobby then went on to claim that they were ‘encouraged’ when the same survey also revealed that 53% of all Australians were now opposed to Medicare funded terminations.
“In an abhorrent form of discrimination against the poor, it seems those who would otherwise think of themselves as progressive believe it is alright to end the life of an unborn child if its parents are poor.” A spokes person for the lobby said.
“It is encouraging that a majority of Australians reject this discrimination”.
But Pro Choice supporter of a Women’s Right To Choose stated that the Australian Federation of Right to Life Associations have not made available the details of the survey.
“We couldn't find details of the questions asked, and this can be vital in understanding the responses”. The spokes person said.
A more recent survey relating to the RU 486 drug and the current government debate was conducted in a national Newspoll survey which revealed that "68% were in favour of RU486 being made available to qualified medical practitioners in order to terminate a pregnancy.
The poll commissioned by the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance surveyed a national cross-section of 1,200 Australians aged 18 years and over.
The survey, conducted by telephone over the weekend of the 13-15 January 2006, asked respondents, in the specific context of abortion, whether they would personally be in favour, or against RU486 being made available in Australia for use by qualified medical practitioners.
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has also weighed into the debate by criticising those in favour of the drug.
"By Not telling the complete truth in the risks of RU-486 in comparison to surgical abortion," he said.
Today the committee hears its final evidence including from the Catholic church, Family Planning Australia and the College of Physicians.
It reports on Wednesday before a conscience vote in the Senate on Thursday.
"The problem with those who are strongly opposed to abortion has been that their arguments are rather thin," Senator Allison said.
"They've suggested for instance this drug is unsafe and yet they're not prepared to see the [Therapeutic Goods Administration] test whether it’s safe or not."
Pro Life groups have claimed that a February 2005 survey by American Market research giant, Market Facts of 1200 people demonstrated that 51% of all Australians were now oppose abortion. Australia has a population of just over 21 million.
Clearly designed to be misleading the Pro Life lobby then went on to claim that they were ‘encouraged’ when the same survey also revealed that 53% of all Australians were now opposed to Medicare funded terminations.
“In an abhorrent form of discrimination against the poor, it seems those who would otherwise think of themselves as progressive believe it is alright to end the life of an unborn child if its parents are poor.” A spokes person for the lobby said.
“It is encouraging that a majority of Australians reject this discrimination”.
But Pro Choice supporter of a Women’s Right To Choose stated that the Australian Federation of Right to Life Associations have not made available the details of the survey.
“We couldn't find details of the questions asked, and this can be vital in understanding the responses”. The spokes person said.
A more recent survey relating to the RU 486 drug and the current government debate was conducted in a national Newspoll survey which revealed that "68% were in favour of RU486 being made available to qualified medical practitioners in order to terminate a pregnancy.
The poll commissioned by the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance surveyed a national cross-section of 1,200 Australians aged 18 years and over.
The survey, conducted by telephone over the weekend of the 13-15 January 2006, asked respondents, in the specific context of abortion, whether they would personally be in favour, or against RU486 being made available in Australia for use by qualified medical practitioners.
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has also weighed into the debate by criticising those in favour of the drug.
"By Not telling the complete truth in the risks of RU-486 in comparison to surgical abortion," he said.
Today the committee hears its final evidence including from the Catholic church, Family Planning Australia and the College of Physicians.
It reports on Wednesday before a conscience vote in the Senate on Thursday.
Kym