SHOCKFACTS: Restricted abortion rights

November 24, 2004
Issue 
607

  • Abortion is still illegal in most Australian states except when the pregnant woman's life is in danger.

  • The ACT is the only territory or state that has removed abortion from criminal statutes.

  • Abortion laws were liberalised in WA after two doctors were charged for performing unlawful abortions in 1998.

  • Abortion laws in four jurisdictions are still based on an 1861 English law.

  • In WA, abortions after 20 weeks must be approved by a government committee.

  • For more than two decades, opinion polls have shown that a majority of Australians support women's right to access abortion.

  • The RU486 "abortion pill" is banned in Australia.

  • Globally, more than 200,000 women die every year from botched illegal abortions.

[Sources: < http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/181_04_160804/dec10242_fm.A HREF="mailto:html"><html> and <http://www.who.org>. Got a shockfact? Email <glw@greenleft.org.au>.]

From Green Left Weekly, November 24, 2004.
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