Not naughty nor dirty girls
Next Monday, the 6th of February, Edith Weisberg will give evidence in the Senate inquiry into the federal Health Minister’s power of veto over the licensing of the abortion drug RU486. The session precedes a parliamentary conscience vote on the issue, expected on Thursday.
"I’m going to say that it’s not a question of the availability of abortion in Australia. It’s a matter of women having the same choice [of abortion method] as women in other Western countries." – Dr. Edith Weisberg.
"If you’ve had fun, you can’t get away with it. You have to punish them [women] for their irresponsible and lascivious behaviour." – ibid.
Despite society’s ostensible progress in endorsing women’s sexuality, Weisberg believes abortion control is about repression and so do I.
We are women who can be trusted to make reproductive choices.
We are NOT little girls who need to ask permission or forgiveness of a patriarchal society.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:21 am
Hey Suki,
This is a timely debate in Australia – given the recent demise of Betty Freidan. I hope it gets through. The pro-choice debate has been a long and hard fought one and unfortunately its not over by a long shot!
Seems like we have a fair whack of fundamentalist’s in Australia – only we call them Liberal Politicians.
B.
February 7th, 2006 at 1:48 am
I’ve lived in Aus since 1996. Abortion wasn’t even on the radar until Howard got his bully majority in the Senate. Prior to then, if you heard a conversation on the topic, it was generally about the sheer amazement at how hard a time American women have keeping their right to choice.
February 7th, 2006 at 3:37 am
I agree, weezil. I was born here in the early 70’s and I’ve never heard abortion rights being questioned. Well Abbott tried, but noone was listening.
I always knew I’d have issues with Howards control of the senate, but I never, ever thought this would be on the agenda. I really thought this was a non issue in Aust.
Only 2 1/2 more years – here’s hoping he doesn’t pull another Tampa or interest rate scare out of the bag. Or more importantly, that the ALP learn how to counter such tactics.
February 7th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Yup. The thing is, to try to ban abortions outright would be impossible (or very difficult) in Australia. So Abbot and Co., have to sneak around, chipping away at the edges — RU486, cutting medicare payments for abortions, just making it HARD without actually BANNING it.