CANBERRA, November 12, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Heading into a fourth term as Prime Minister, Australia’s John Howard said Wednesday that he will allow discussion of private members’ bills on restricting abortion, a debate that is expected to be a priority when parliament resumes Monday.
“People are entitled to raise these issues, but I stress there will not be any government-sponsored change,” to the abortion law, Howard said, as reported by The Associated Press.
“If people wish to bring forward a private member’s bill people are free to do so,” the Prime Minister said, according to an Australian Associated Press report. “The Liberal Party for its part . . . would allow all of its members a free and open vote.” About a third of legislators favour more stringent measures, such as making late-term abortions illegal, adding compulsory pre-abortion counselling, or restricting Medicare funding for abortion. Some have also suggested improved welfare for mothers who think they can not afford to raise a child. Howard said he would allow a conscience vote on the issue—conscience votes are those that allow individuals to vote according to their own beliefs, rather than along a party line. Opposition Labor Party leader Mark Latham, as well as National Party leader John Anderson, both said they would support a conscience vote on the issue. See local coverage: http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/MPs-given-conscience-vote-on-abortions/2004/11/10/1100021872360.html See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage: Australian Teen Abortion Stats Intensify Abortion Debate http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/nov/04110908.html tv