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Abortion Law Reform Symbol of Democracy

Abortion Law Reform Symbol of Democracy

Many words have been written recently in the ‘Mercury’ Letters page about abortion law reform, but now that the legislation has passed the Tasmanian House of Assembly, it is time to consider the role of parliamentarians in balancing different opinions in law making.

 It is true that a large group of Tasmanians have rallied with their churches to oppose decriminalisation of abortion. I respect the religious and personal beliefs of those who oppose abortion and they are entitled to act according to these beliefs.. However opinion polling over the last twenty years has consistently shown the majority of Australians across gender and age groups support a woman’s right to choose, so the law should reflect this community standard.

When law reform is directed to issues of personal decision making, any democratic society must protect the rights of the individual to informed choice. Whether the parliament is initiating debate about abortion, same sex marriage or euthanasia our elected representatives have a responsibility to respect the rights of individuals.

Members of the Legislative Council will now be subjected to intense campaigning to either support or deny Tasmanians the right to make a personal choice about abortion. Their vote is not really about whether they agree or disagree with abortion. It is about whether our upper house legislators understand the fundamentals of democracy where individuals should be allowed to make these deeply personal decisions.

  Margaret Reynolds (CLA member), Richmond Tas 7025

 

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