Fear of prosecution denies Australian women rights

[Saint Jade IV]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25578293-3102,00.html

Under Queensland law, it is still illegal to obtain an abortion except in cases of medical necessity. While this is the case, generally abortions are obtainable and the law is overlooked. However, it does seem that this will cease as more and more religious groups gain political influence. It makes me sad as a female and a human to see women denied the right to access a safe, effective and non-invasive method to obtain an abortion.

[Fighter4u]

Then why not start lobbying it to be over turned right now instead of waiting for the relgioious groups to gain power and stop that from happening?

[Jingoist Hippostan]

Then why not start lobbying it to be over turned right now instead of waiting for the relgioious groups to gain power and stop that from happening?

Lobbying takes way more effort than complaining on the internet.

[Fighter4u]

Too true. But then again would lobbing really do all that much if their isn't already a huge movement out their? Wouldn't it just have the same effect as whining on the net?

[Saint Jade IV]

Then why not start lobbying it to be over turned right now instead of waiting for the relgioious groups to gain power and stop that from happening?

RU 486 is legal in Queensland. Many people, myself included have petitioned the government in Queensland to overturn the antiquated abortion laws and make it officially legal. Unfortunately, most people aren't motivated to change the status quo, as doctors haven't been prosecuted for providing abortions for years. However, more aware people know that as long as its criminality is codified in law, there is the potential for women to be persecuted by those who wish to hold their bodies to ransom.

[Barfobulville]

Here's your problem: Religious groups aren't the only ones who want to stop abortion. There are also unaffiliated people who think unnecessary abortions (those being discussed here) are just that, unnecessary.

[Saint Jade IV]

Here's your problem: Religious groups aren't the only ones who want to stop abortion. There are also unaffiliated people who think unnecessary abortions (those being discussed here) are just that, unnecessary.

And they have every right to think that. But they don't have a right to have those opinions enshrined in law. They have no right to claim authority over a woman's body.

Unfortunately, in Queensland, nobody seems to be motivated to change the law, and now we are seeing the consequences.

[SaintB]

Is Queensland like the outback of the Outback? Sort of like the Bible Belt in the USA?

[Barfobulville]

They have no right to claim authority over a woman's body.

The woman has no right to claim authority over the baby's body.

Devil's advocate.

[Blouman Empire]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25578293-3102,00.html

Under Queensland law, it is still illegal to obtain an abortion except in cases of medical necessity. While this is the case, generally abortions are obtainable and the law is overlooked. However, it does seem that this will cease as more and more religious groups gain political influence. It makes me sad as a female and a human to see women denied the right to access a safe, effective and non-invasive method to obtain an abortion.

I'm pretty sure that the federal law says it is legal.

If this is so then Queensland law is already overruled.

As for "religious groups" gaining influence, you really shouldn't worry about it, we are not the US. We have a different mentality as well as a far lower regualr church attendence.

Of course it would be horrible if those religious groups influence in lobbying the government help out those living under the poverty line more as well as saying that the government should treat illegal immigrants with a bit more respect.

[Maximus Corporation]

And they have every right to think that. But they don't have a right to have those opinions enshrined in law. They have no right to claim authority over a woman's body.

Maybe she should have used protection?

That's usually the argument when men end up with kids they don't want from women who lie to trap them into 18 years of child support payments.

[Blouman Empire]

Is Queensland like the outback of the Outback? Sort of like the Bible Belt in the USA?

Banana benders have always been the odd one out, wouldn't really call it the Bible belt of Australia though.

[Saint Jade IV]

Is Queensland like the outback of the Outback? Sort of like the Bible Belt in the USA?

Queensland is our very own redneck state. It's a thrilling experience living here. It's like the Bible belt, without the Bible. Same morals, just not overt religiosity.

[82 Eridani]

The woman has no right to claim authority over the baby's body.

A foetus is not a baby.

[Barfobulville]

A foetus is not a baby.

It will be.

[Triniteras]

Under Queensland law, it is still illegal to obtain an abortion except in cases of medical necessity. While this is the case, generally abortions are obtainable and the law is overlooked. However, it does seem that this will cease as more and more religious groups gain political influence.

This is why one must never compromise.

The woman has no right to claim authority over the baby's body.
Devil's advocate.

You are not obligated to have your body used to support the life of another entity.

Maybe she should have used protection?

Protections is not fail safe. And this is completely irrelevant.

[SaintB]

A foetus is not a baby.

It will be.

Just because something will be does not mean it is. A ball of amorphous cells with no cognitive functions or awareness is not a human being.

[Barfobulville]

You are not obligated to have your body used to support the life of another entity.

You aren't obligated per se, but it would be pretty cruel to let someone die just for your own convenience.

[Maximus Corporation]

Protections is not fail safe. And this is completely irrelevant.

No, actually it's not. She has a right to control her body away from sex or use protection if she doesn't want a kid. This is the same argument used to tell men they have to pay child support to kids they don't want and were lied to by the mother.

It's relevant because men do not have a right to opt out of parenthood and giving women that right and not men is an unequal protection under law.

[Barfobulville]

Just because something will be does not mean it is. A ball of amorphous cells with no cognitive functions or awareness is not a human being.

Well shucks, too bad that fetus couldn't take a shortcut past the amorphous ball stage. How inconsiderate of it.

[Saint Jade IV]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25578293-3102,00.html

Under Queensland law, it is still illegal to obtain an abortion except in cases of medical necessity. While this is the case, generally abortions are obtainable and the law is overlooked. However, it does seem that this will cease as more and more religious groups gain political influence. It makes me sad as a female and a human to see women denied the right to access a safe, effective and non-invasive method to obtain an abortion.

I'm pretty sure that the federal law says it is legal.

If this is so then Queensland law is already overruled.

As for "religious groups" gaining influence, you really shouldn't worry about it, we are not the US. We have a different mentality as well as a far lower regualr church attendence.

Of course it would be horrible if those religious groups influence in lobbying the government help out those living under the poverty line more as well as saying that the government should treat illegal immigrants with a bit more respect.

I am well aware of our apathy towards religion as a people. However, politically, due to Aussie attitudes like, "She'll be right mate" creating a politically apathetic population, religious groups are gaining ground in influencing policy.

In each State and Territory, the law provides that the crime of unlawful abortion is punishable by lengthy periods of imprisonment. In Victoria the penalty is five years' imprisonment for both the woman and the abortionist and one year's imprisonment for supplying or procuring anything to assist. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory the penalty is ten years' imprisonment for the woman and the abortionist, and five years for supplying or procuring. In South Australia the penalty is life imprisonment for the woman and the abortionist, and three years for supplying or procuring. In the Northern Territory the penalty is seven years' imprisonment for all parties. In Tasmania the penalty for all involved is 21 years' imprisonment and/or a fine as determined by the court. In Queensland (and until recently in Western Australia) the penalty is seven years' imprisonment for the woman, 14 years for the abortionist, and three years for supplying or procuring. Changes to the law in Western Australia have replaced these penalties with a fine of $50 000 where the abortionist is a qualified medical practitioner, and a penalty of five years' imprisonment where the abortionist is not. A woman on whom an unlawful abortion is performed is no longer subject to any legal punishment in Western Australia.

So it is a crime in Queensland. Unless to save the life of the mother. Which is the issue at stake. Noone has been prosecuted for a good long time, so nobody saw a reason to change the law. Now it may be too late.

[Saint Jade IV]

And thanks, guys for tearing into the anti-life arguments for me while I was researching Australian abortion law for BE!

to all.

[Triniteras]

You aren't obligated per se, but it would be pretty cruel to let someone die just for your own convenience.

Perhaps "cruel", but not obligated.

No, actually it's not. She has a right to control her body away from sex or use protection if she doesn't want a kid.

So what? She is not obligated to support another entity through the use of her body.
Her "controlling her body" (abstaining from completely normal behaviors) is completely irrelevant.

This is the same argument used to tell men they have to pay child support to kids they don't want and were lied to by the mother.

If it's a problem, then you should be advocating for it to be handled collectively.

[Blouman Empire]

I am well aware of our apathy towards religion as a people. However, politically, due to Aussie attitudes like, "She'll be right mate" creating a politically apathetic population, religious groups are gaining ground in influencing policy.

Which is why I doubt that they will get much influence, remember this is an old law not one that is being debated in the one house of Queensland's parliament.

In each State and Territory, the law provides that the crime of unlawful abortion is punishable by lengthy periods of imprisonment. In Victoria the penalty is five years' imprisonment for both the woman and the abortionist and one year's imprisonment for supplying or procuring anything to assist. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory the penalty is ten years' imprisonment for the woman and the abortionist, and five years for supplying or procuring. In South Australia the penalty is life imprisonment for the woman and the abortionist, and three years for supplying or procuring. In the Northern Territory the penalty is seven years' imprisonment for all parties. In Tasmania the penalty for all involved is 21 years' imprisonment and/or a fine as determined by the court. In Queensland (and until recently in Western Australia) the penalty is seven years' imprisonment for the woman, 14 years for the abortionist, and three years for supplying or procuring. Changes to the law in Western Australia have replaced these penalties with a fine of $50 000 where the abortionist is a qualified medical practitioner, and a penalty of five years' imprisonment where the abortionist is not. A woman on whom an unlawful abortion is performed is no longer subject to any legal punishment in Western Australia.

So it is a crime in Queensland. Unless to save the life of the mother. Which is the issue at stake. Noone has been prosecuted for a good long time, so nobody saw a reason to change the law. Now it may be too late.

You should become a journalist.

It does say unlawful arbortion now is this when it is done by backstreet butchers? Or if one is a qualified doctor and uses correct procedure that it is not unlawful or may just even supply RU486 through prescription?

The case in front of the courts is not this but rather a woman did it on her own and used an illegal drug that was smuggled in to the country.

[Barfobulville]

But not obligation.

Well, I don't know about you, but we humans generally take issue with cruelty and try to stop it. That's why the USA is in trouble about torture. That's why Sudan is in trouble for Darfur. That's why the Nazis were in trouble for the Holocaust. Etc.

Note: yes, that's right. I put abortion in the same category as torture and genocide.