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 < Back Democrats Call For Scientific Decision on RU486 Feb 6th 2006 NSW Democrat MLC, Dr. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans has joined federal colleagues in calling for a rational and scientific decision regarding the "controversial" chemical abortion drug, RU486. "The only thing that is controversial about RU486 is the outrageous amount of fire and brimstone that has been stirred up. This is a simple decision about efficacy and safe use, and it can be made using the routine principles applied to any other drug," said Dr. Chesterfield Evans. The importation of RU486 for testing is currently subject to a decision by the Minister for Health, an accommodation reached in 1996 as a result of an agreement between Senator Brian Harradine and the Liberal Government over the sale of Telstra. Democrats Leader, Senator Lyn Alison, the sponsor of an amendment to the Therapeutic Goods Bill that would reverse this provision, has been vocal in her support of a woman's right to choose a safe and legal and affordable termination of pregnancy. "There are a lot of women who remember what it was like when you had no alternative but backyard abortionists. With the costs of surgical terminations rising, it is becoming more difficult to access these services. RU486 is safe and has been used for many years by women in France, the United Kingdom and even the United States. It can be administered and supervised by a GP," she said. An alliance of female politicians from different political parties has been influential in achieving a hearing for the amendment bill, although the vote will be treated as a 'conscience' vote for the Liberal and Labor representatives. "Democrats policy supports the removal of abortion laws from the Criminal Code in all States and Territories, the introduction of buffer zones around clinics that provide abortion services, and the removal of barriers to the importation of RU-486. It is high time that a woman's right to control her fertility is fully recognised at all levels of government," concluded Dr. Chesterfield-Evans. |
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updated:
February 14, 2006
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