Legislative Council Must Represent the Majority
Pro-choice campaigner, Georgia Allen, today called on the Legislative Council committee examining the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations Bill) 2013 to ensure that they recognise that 86% of Tasmanians support removing abortion from the Criminal Code.
Ms Allen said that the members of the Legislative Council are democratically elected and should represent the views of the Tasmanian community, and is not concerned about the make up of the committee so long as they examine the Bill objectively.
Ms Allen said, “while I believe Ruth Forrest MLC, with her background in reproductive health, was the most qualified Legislative Councillor to lead the committee, I trust that all Legislative Councillors will approach this issue professionally and without preconceived views.”
“I am a young woman who lives in the Huon electoral division, and trust that Paul Harriss will listen to the overwhelming consensus within his electorate and state.”
“Polling conducted for Family Planning Tasmania shows that 86% of Tasmanians support decriminalising terminations,” Ms Allen said.
“We have had the debate on abortion in this state. Legislative Councillors must respect that and not recommend amendments to the Bill which would be a backwards step.”
Ms Allen said that her social media campaign demonstrated the broad community support for the reforms.
“We had Tasmanians from all walks of life sharing their story. While each person approached the issue from their own personal background and viewpoint, the consensus was the same – this reform must pass.”
Pro-choice campaigner, Georgia Allen
