As New Zealand goes through its current abortion debate, Kiwis can perhaps take some cold comfort that, across the Tasman, a very similar debate is being played out in the Australian state of New South Wales. Just as in New Zealand, the debate is no less contentious nor short of implacable opinions on both sides.
Most telling about NSW’s fracas, though, is that it once again shows the utter contempt with which the political class regards the hoi polloi. Like Tasmania’s recent “transgender” law changes, the changes in NSW were never put before the electorate, despite the fact of a state election just six months ago. Once again, the political class is talking to itself.
Former Liberal candidate Warren Mundine has blasted the recent push for abortion decriminalisation in NSW as a “crazy lunatic” bill, accusing the Berejiklian government of doing a “grubby little deal with the Greens” that betrayed the Liberal party room and its membership.
Speaking on 2GB radio this morning, the former Labor Party president turned Liberal member said the Berejiklian government had “got arrogant” and “ahead of themselves”, and urged them to hold a debate with the public and within the Liberal party room…“Here they are, never mentioned in the election, never mentioned it to anyone, did some grubby deal with the Greens.
“And how embarrassing it is for the Premier and the Deputy Premier to be sitting with the Greens on one side of the parliament while two thirds of the Liberal party are sitting on the other side.”
Mundine might well agree with John Black’s recent piece for The BFD: “I am not here to present an anti-abortion argument…Needless to say, I am vehemently opposed to the government’s planned law reforms”.
Mr Mundine described abortion decriminalisation as a “very contentions and emotional issue”, and said he was concerned at discussion about aborting foetuses past the 22 week mark.
“This crazy lunatic argument … This is not about having abortions or not having abortions.
“When you start getting into 20 and 22 weeks. I had a cousin who was born premature. You cannot tell me that that is not a living baby, a human being.”
This is a debate that should be had, regardless of contemporary politics (particularly left-wing politics) having an aversion to talking about anything that might possibly cause some hurty-feelings, somewhere. Which is nothing more than a dictatorship of the cry-bullies.
“They seem to try and think they get away with this all the time.
“Well I’m going to call it out. They’ve got to stop doing these grubby deals.”
…Legislation to decriminalise abortion passed the NSW lower house last week by 59 votes to 31 after an amendment to the original bill passed.
It allows terminations up to 22 weeks, as well as later abortions if two doctors considering all the circumstances agree the termination should occur.
The bill must still pass the NSW upper house later this month, and will be assessed by a social issues committee this week.
As it stands, this will still place NSW behind ultra-“progressive” states like Victoria and South Australia.
Queensland decriminalised abortion in December, where the procedure is available up to 22 week. After that, two doctors must be consulted.
In Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, abortion is available through a doctor up to 24 weeks, 23 weeks and 16 weeks respectively, and can be performed later with the consent of two doctors.
In Western Australia, a woman can seek an abortion up to 20 weeks, however there are restrictions for those under 16 and beyond the 20 week mark.
theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/crazy-lunatic-bill-mundine-lashes-nsw-liberals-on-abortion/news-story/cc74e59721f075ac281fd09df0cf9f6e