Geraldine Mitchell & Nick Higginbottom -Â October 07, 2008
OPPONENTS of the Brumby Government’s controversial abortion Bill will try to derail it in the Upper House.
The 40 MPs will today be bombarded with another series of amendments to the Abortion Law Reform Bill.
The Government could torpedo the legislation if the amendments are successful and existing provisions are watered down.
Senior minister Theo Theophanous is expected to push an amendment to change the legislation to allow an abortion up to 20 weeks rather than 24 weeks.
Mr Theophanous said yesterday he was considering amendments and predicted the vote would be tight. He has previously been outspoken on the Bill, saying 24 weeks was a “bridge too far to go” and that he would not support it.
The proposed legislation would enable a woman to terminate a pregnancy at up to 24 weeks. An abortion could still occur after that with the consent of two doctors.
The wife of Attorney-General Rob Hulls, barrister Carolyn Burnside, was last night due to address a pro-life rally in Ashburton but she cancelled at the last minute.
Mr Hulls, a Catholic-educated father of four, surprised Parliament when he voted against the Bill in the Lower House and has since refused to reveal the reasons behind his decision.
Endeavour Forum co-ordinator Babette Francis told the 50-strong gathering Ms Burnside was “very distressed” and had been through a “very difficult time” before deciding not to appear.
“Her husband was not happy about her speaking at this meeting,” Ms Francis said.
Opposition continues to mount against the Bill’s conscientious objection clause that would force a doctor to refer a woman if they did not want to carry out the procedure.
A group of about 100 doctors met yesterday to lobby MPs to vote against the Bill. They argue that it does not reflect clinical practice.
“It is based on false premises, incorrect definitions, and is not reflective of current clinical realities or supportive of vulnerable women,” Dr Mary Lewis said.
A group of about 20 pregnant women met on the steps of Parliament to oppose the Bill.
A heavily pregnant Kirsten Jack, from the Coalition Against Decriminalisation of Abortion, said the Bill was “extremist legislation”.
“There are at least two people that are affected by abortion. Both mother and baby deserve respect and legal protection,” she said.
Archbishop Denis Hart reiterated the church’s position, saying maternity and emergency services could be shut down at Catholic hospitals if the Bill became law.
“We can’t in our Catholic hospitals perform abortions, and we can’t and won’t refer people for abortions,” he said.
“That’s a very serious situation and we have nowhere to go. That’s our teaching and it’s something we believe comes from God.”
The Upper House vote is expected to go down to the wire with some predicting it will be as close as 21-19 in favour. A Herald Sun survey of Upper House MPs last week found 16 in favour, 15 against and nine undecided.