.
2009/05: Should Australia supply foreign aid to fund abortion services?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: An interview conducted by Christian TV producer David Gibbons with Lyle Shelton, of the Australian Christian Lobby. (This clip should be treated as comment).
If you cannot see this clip, it will be because YouTube is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows YouTube clips.
What they said...
'We insist that in Australia women get good abortion advice... If they feel it's necessary for whatever reason, at least they get safe abortions so the chances of dying are pretty remote...Let's treat women overseas with the same dignity and decency as we would our own women in Australia'
Liberal front bencher, Mal Washer
'Australia's aid program should continue its current focus on helping to improve the lives of people in poor countries by improving access to clean water, nutritious food, health care, housing and a clean environment. The limited funds available for aid should not be used to destroy unborn children but to provide better care for them and their mothers'
Australian Christian Lobby
The issue at a glance
On March 10, 2009, the federal Government announced Australia would lift a 13-year ban on using foreign aid funds to support family planning and safe abortions in poor nations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith announced his decision to scrap the ban at a meeting of Labor MPs and Senators, after months of internal party consultation about a policy shift.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told the meeting he did not personally support the change and had had long-standing conservative views on abortion, but, the Prime Minister said, there was a clear majority view in the Labor caucus supporting the change
This change in policy has met with the approval of women's groups and a variety of welfare agencies; however, it has been opposed by Christian agencies and a number of federal members on both sides of Parliament.
|
