ALRANZ: Hopes that Private Members Bill Still An Option.

"ALRANZ finds it regrettable that the proposed abortion law review may be deferred until the next parliamentary term, but we would welcome a private member's bill. However, we are heartened by the probability that New Zealand women may soon have access to medical abortion if MedSafe and its subsidiary professional committees approve RU486-mifepristone for use." stated Mr Craig Young, ALRANZ Research Officer today.

"We also welcome the Abortion Supervisory Committee's call for the complete decriminalisation of abortion, and removal of current grounds for women's abortion access from the Crimes Act. Given the decriminalisation of homosexuality and possible decriminalisation of sex work, it seems an anachronism that women's abortion access has only been partially decriminalised."

"Predictably, the internally divided anti-abortion movement has issued its own comments on current developments. Remember, "Right to Life New Zealand" (the expelled ex-Christchurch SPUC branch) favours the total prohibition of abortion under the Status of the Unborn Child Bill.

As for SPUC, one can only wonder at their stance on this issue, given that their media statement was so ambiguous about its intentions. It is the dawn of the twenty first century, and women's access to abortion services is still being governed by a cumbersome and expensive regulatory system from twenty-two years ago. Isn't it time for a change?"

Contact: Craig Young Research Officer, ALRANZ ph 06 3569099 ext 7750

Dr Margaret Sparrow National President ALRANZ ph 04 4759886

ALRANZ Box 28008 Wellington

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