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 RFC 1855 Netiquette Guidelines http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1855.txt