March 2009
The new abortion law passed in Australia has stripped doctors of their right to
freedom of conscience:
"Conscientious objectors will have to refer women to
doctors who do not have a conscientious objection."
Governments, with the aid of professional agencies and pro-choice groups seek
control of medical practices, simply because most physicians will not do abortions.
Having "won" the abortion practice argument they claim a precedent has been set.
The
abortion bill passed Victorian Upper House on Friday 10th October 2008
effectively allowing abortion through to term by any method for any
reason. Partial
birth abortion is still allowable.
All
amendments failed including the one to take out the clause eliminating doctors´
conscientious objection.
If a physician is charged
and found guilty (no other verdict would be possible under this law) then doctors would be both unregistrable because they have broken the law
and uninsurable, and as a result forced out of practice. Catholic hospitals would need to
close gynecological services.
