After Bianca's talk on Saturday, some LUVers may wish to attend this
gathering, organised by yours truly....
Protecting Reproductive Choices from Religious Doctrine
A Meeting of the Victorian Secular Lobby, Inc.
Abortion in Victoria used to be a criminal offense except under limited
cases. In 2008 the Abortion Law Reform Act decrimalised abortion up to 24
weeks, with allowance after that if necessary. This legislation had
widespread community and bipartisan support and passed the Legislative
Assembly 49-32 after a conscience vote, and the Legislative Council 23-17.
Part of that legislation requires publically licensed medical
practitioners, as part of their profession, to refer patients to to other
medical practitioners if they have a conscientious objection to abortion.
It also compels medical staff to perform an abortion to save the life of a
woman.
Rogue Frankston MP, Geoff Shaw, has flagged his intention to introduce a
private members bill that will remove that assurance of medical service.
Shaw is a member of the Liberal Party, but holds the balance of power as
an independent, following allegations that he had used parliamentary
resources for his private business interests. In a surprise move the
Victoria's Office of Public Prosecutions dropped criminal charges for
these activities, which ensures that current state government retains
power.
An evangelical Christian, Shaw has made no secret of his opposition to
women being able to make their own reproductive choices and is prepared to
coerce his private religious belief to secular law. In addition,
Victoria's Liberal Party state conference this month voted to remove
section 8 of the Act in order to 'restore freedom of conscience of
doctors'.
The Victorian government runs the risk of having major policies determined
by a religious fundamentalist in their quest to retain power; and the
guaranteed reproductive rights of women are the cost of that power.
This meeting of the Victorian Secular Lobby will discuss strategies to
ensure that the reproductive rights of women are not overturned in this
parliament and that the public responsibilities of medical professionals
are retained.
Saturday, December 21st, 18:00 (6pm): 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne
(Unitarian Church conference room)
Guest Speaker: Colleen Hartland, Greens MLC for Western Metropolitan Region
--
Lev Lafayette, BA (Hons), GradCertTerAdEd (Murdoch), GradCertPM, MBA (Tech
Mngmnt) (Chifley)
mobile: 0432 255 208
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