PRO-life leaders in Queensland are rallying supporters as pro-abortionists continue to pressure the State Govern-ment for abortion law reform.
Following the prosecution of a Cairns couple for illegally procuring a drug-induced abortion, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, acting on legal advice, has called on the Government to repeal sections of the Queensland criminal code to protect doctors providing drug-induced abortions from possible charges.
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital suspended medical abortion services (providing drug-induced abortions) last month after it sought advice from the Queensland Solicitor-General.
The Australian newspaper reported that the hospital sought clarification of a ruling by a Supreme Court judge that suggested doctors were at risk of committing a criminal offence for performing medical abortions.
Other hospitals in Queensland also suspended medical abortions.
The Government agreed to amend a section of the criminal code to offer protection for doctors prescribing medical abortions but The Australian reported the RANZCOG said the proposed changes were not enough.
Pro-abortionists held a rally in Brisbane on August 29 to push for abortion law reform.
Cherish Life Queensland president Teresa Martin said the pro-life group was not threatened by the current pro-abortion moves.
She said the pro-abortion lobby only attracted about 120 people.
“They are annoyed that (Premier) Anna Bligh will not change current laws to suit them,” Ms Martin said.
“We don’t feel threatened by that. We can get 1200 people to that park (Queen’s Park) and did earlier this year and I just want to point out that we sent an invitation to all the media and no one turned up. They (pro-abortionists) get 120 people and all the media is covering them.”
Ms Martin said Cherish Life Queensland had observers at the rally but had not attended and were not involved in what the media reported as a “clash” between pro and anti-abortionists.
She said Cherish Life Queensland was continuing its stand against abortion and, as well as organising petitions and lobbying politicians, she said it was important to give thanks when it was deserved.
“Write to the Premier and thank her for being firm and not changing the legislation,” Ms Martin said.
“I know she is on Emily’s List (an organisation that backs women politicians who support abortion), she is under pressure and we need to encourage her to remain firm.”
Ms Martin said Cherish Life Queensland was formulating an e-petition that was expected to gain considerable support.
“We also need people to continue to write to their politicians, not the one’s on Emily’s List but the ones who don’t have an opinion.
“Politely write to them or even pay them a personal visit and leave them some information to be looked at when they have time.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Medical Guild of St Luke, an association of Catholic medical doctors, said in a statement on August 30 that it was “disturbed by the pro-abortion doctors and their agenda that has clearly hijacked the recent Cairns case, and exposed a young woman in distress”.
“The guild acknowledges that the current pro-abortion agenda is far reaching and is part of an orchestrated move to decriminalise abortion in Queensland,” the statement said.
Guild president Dr Terrence Kent said: “This debate is not about an unfortunate couple who felt they were trapped, nor is it a debate about the relatively small numbers of terminations performed in public hospitals, this is a full scale assault on the law and the push for the decriminalisation of abortion.”
The statement said the guild called on “all politicians to recognise the depth of personal anguish each woman goes through in the wake of an unexpected pregnancy, and as a matter of urgency charges all elements of Government to work on practical solutions that will support these women and their babies at a time of vulnerability”.
