Abortionist On The Abortion Supervisory Commitee-A Major Conflict Of Interest

The appointment to the Abortion Supervisory Committee(ASC) by Parliament marks a further chapter of shame for our Parliament in denying justice to our unborn children and their mothers.

Drs Lesley Rothwell and Papaarangi Reid of Wellington have been appointed with Marlene Lamb of Morrinsville being re-appointed. Dr Rothwell is an abortionist at the Parkview Abortion Clinic in Wellington where more than 2,200 unborn children are aborted each year.

The appointment of Dr Rothwell represents an glaring and enormous conflict of interest. Dr Rothwell derives a considerable portion of her income from performing abortions, an activity she has now been appointed to supervise.

The Committee has a statutory duty to supervise the performance of abortions in New Zealand and ensure that the laws on abortion are upheld which includes the rights of the unborn child who should have the full protection of the law. This Government by appointing an abortionist to the ASC clearly demolishes any view that the Government is actually trying to uphold New Zealand law.

The previous Chairperson of the committee stated in the Sunday Star Times (5 November) that we had abortion on demand in New Zealand, particularly in the three main centres. This constitutes a regime of unlawful abortions.

How can the new Chairperson be expected to stop abortion on demand when there exists a situation where abortionists are voted on to the committee by the Government.

Our Society agrees with the 26 Members of Parliament who voted against the motion to make these appointments. We agree with the many MP's who challenged the abysmal performance of the committee. Owen Jennings of ACT said "Here we go again appointing a committee to carry on this travesty-a committee that, on its own admission, is a failure that is set up as a charade".

This shameful charade was supported by 85 MP's who voted for Dr Rothwell knowing full well of her abortions at Parkview. It is therefore clear from the debate in the House that Parliament, the highest court in the land, accepts failure of the committee to uphold the law and protect the right to life of unborn New Zealanders-the weakest and most defenseless members of our human family.

The action of Parliament is a disgrace bringing the rule of law into jeopardy and undermining the credibility of Parliament. We, as New Zealanders, definitely deserve better than this. We need MPs with integrity who will vote for life- The Right to Life.

Peter Coleman (Committee Member Right To Life) Ken Orr (Vice-President).

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