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Catholic bishops urge NSW politicians to vote in support of Zoe's law Catholic bishops urge NSW politicians to vote in support of Zoe's law
(6 months later)
At least three Catholic bishops have written to New South Wales politicians urging them to vote for Zoe’s law, a controversial bill that opponents say could interfere with the legality of abortion.At least three Catholic bishops have written to New South Wales politicians urging them to vote for Zoe’s law, a controversial bill that opponents say could interfere with the legality of abortion.
The bill, which gives personhood to a foetus, passed NSW’s lower house last year and members of the legislative council were briefed it was going to be introduced into the upper house a fortnight ago. But it was pulled at the last minute.The bill, which gives personhood to a foetus, passed NSW’s lower house last year and members of the legislative council were briefed it was going to be introduced into the upper house a fortnight ago. But it was pulled at the last minute.
It is understood supporters of the bill believed it was heading for an emphatic defeat and wanted more time to lobby MLCs.It is understood supporters of the bill believed it was heading for an emphatic defeat and wanted more time to lobby MLCs.
Guardian Australia understands at least three bishops – Wollongong’s Peter Ingham, Parramatta’s Anthony Fisher and Lismore’s Geoffrey Jarrett – have joined the lobbying for the bill, writing to MLCs in the past week.Guardian Australia understands at least three bishops – Wollongong’s Peter Ingham, Parramatta’s Anthony Fisher and Lismore’s Geoffrey Jarrett – have joined the lobbying for the bill, writing to MLCs in the past week.
The law will make it an offence to purposefully harm a foetus older than 20 weeks or weighing more than 400 grams, although it exempts any medical procedures or anything done with the mother’s consent which is meant to protect women from being prosecuted for having an abortion.The law will make it an offence to purposefully harm a foetus older than 20 weeks or weighing more than 400 grams, although it exempts any medical procedures or anything done with the mother’s consent which is meant to protect women from being prosecuted for having an abortion.
Legal experts have argued this is not enough as the legislation still gives personhood to a foetus.Legal experts have argued this is not enough as the legislation still gives personhood to a foetus.
“Reasonable people will surely agree that a man who deliberately beats a heavily pregnant woman in the belly to kill her child or someone who behaves with criminal negligence towards mother and child has done more than hurt the woman,” Fisher wrote in an email seen by Guardian Australia.“Reasonable people will surely agree that a man who deliberately beats a heavily pregnant woman in the belly to kill her child or someone who behaves with criminal negligence towards mother and child has done more than hurt the woman,” Fisher wrote in an email seen by Guardian Australia.
“Our present laws ignore the parents’ grief in these circumstances and seem to be telling them their child’s death is unimportant.”“Our present laws ignore the parents’ grief in these circumstances and seem to be telling them their child’s death is unimportant.”
Fisher called fears Zoe’s law would interfere with abortion “nonsense”, saying it was very specifically directed.Fisher called fears Zoe’s law would interfere with abortion “nonsense”, saying it was very specifically directed.
“Contrary to those who say Zoe’s law is an unnecessary law, it will fill a gap in the law … I encourage members of the NSW Legislative council to support the bill,” he wrote.“Contrary to those who say Zoe’s law is an unnecessary law, it will fill a gap in the law … I encourage members of the NSW Legislative council to support the bill,” he wrote.
Zoe’s law is named after the unborn child of Brodie Donegan who was eight months’ pregnant when she was hit by a drunk driver on Christmas Day in 2009 and lost her baby.Zoe’s law is named after the unborn child of Brodie Donegan who was eight months’ pregnant when she was hit by a drunk driver on Christmas Day in 2009 and lost her baby.
Donegan describes herself as pro-choice and rejected a version of the law first proposed by Family First MLC Fred Nile because she thought it was too extreme.Donegan describes herself as pro-choice and rejected a version of the law first proposed by Family First MLC Fred Nile because she thought it was too extreme.
Ingham said Donegan had campaigned long and hard for the bill.Ingham said Donegan had campaigned long and hard for the bill.
“As such, surely this bill is most worthy of support. Please do not be misled into believing this bill is about abortion or women’s reproductive rights,” he wrote. “As such, surely this bill is most worthy of support. Please do not be misled into believing this bill is about abortion or women’s reproductive rights,” he wrote.
“I am writing to ask if you would please speak in favour of and vote for this bill which I believe deserves to be supported on its merits.”“I am writing to ask if you would please speak in favour of and vote for this bill which I believe deserves to be supported on its merits.”
Jarrett also wrote to MLCs encouraging them to vote in favour.Jarrett also wrote to MLCs encouraging them to vote in favour.
The office of Liberal MLC Marie Ficarra, who is expected to introduce the bill to the upper house, has not returned calls this week about when the bill will be introduced and speculation varies widely across the legislative council.The office of Liberal MLC Marie Ficarra, who is expected to introduce the bill to the upper house, has not returned calls this week about when the bill will be introduced and speculation varies widely across the legislative council.
Some MLCs think it could be quietly shelved but others are confident it will be brought forward some time in the next sitting fortnight.Some MLCs think it could be quietly shelved but others are confident it will be brought forward some time in the next sitting fortnight.
The bill is opposed by the NSW bar association, the state’s branch of the Australian Medical Association, and a coalition of women’s rights group, from the Women’s Electoral Lobby to Rape Crisis support groups.The bill is opposed by the NSW bar association, the state’s branch of the Australian Medical Association, and a coalition of women’s rights group, from the Women’s Electoral Lobby to Rape Crisis support groups.