Rallies for abortion rights

Women’s rights groups around the country will rally on Saturday, October 9 to protest against the prosecution of a Queensland couple for a home abortion.

A Cairns woman, 20, and her male partner, 22, face trial for allegedly importing abortion drugs to terminate a pregnancy and could face jail time under Queensland law. The trial is set for October 12.

Rallies will be held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to demand the charges against the couple be dropped.
The Pro-Choice Action Collective in Brisbane, the Women’s Abortion Action Campaign in Sydney and Radical Women in Melbourne have organised the protests.

The Melbourne protest will also take place on the second anniversary of the passing of laws decriminalising abortion in Victoria.

Last month protesters dressed in 19th century costumes to protest against Queensland abortion laws which were first written in the 1800s.

The Bligh Government has so far ruled out any plans to change existing abortion laws.

Pro-Choice Action Collective spokeswoman Kathy Newman said the charges against the Cairns couple “threaten to set a dangerous new precedent on abortion laws”.

Radical Women organiser Debbie Brennan said the fight for women’s autonomy to make decisions about their bodies and reproduction has wider implications.

“We believe a multi-issue approach to the battle for reproductive rights is essential,” she said.

“Genuine choice means that women with disabilities must not be forcibly sterilised; that lesbians and single women must have equal access to assisted reproductive technologies and that all women must have a living wage, child care, housing and paid maternity leave.”

info: The rallies are on Saturday, October 9. Melbourne: noon at Parliament House steps. Sydney: noon at Sydney Town Hall. Brisbane: 1pm at Queens Park.