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Geoff Shaw proposes radical changes to Victoria’s abortion laws Geoff Shaw proposes radical changes to Victoria’s abortion laws
(about 3 hours later)
Geoff Shaw, the MP who holds the balance of power in the Victorian parliament, will put forward a bill that would radically alter the state’s abortion laws by banning partial-birth and gender selection abortions.Geoff Shaw, the MP who holds the balance of power in the Victorian parliament, will put forward a bill that would radically alter the state’s abortion laws by banning partial-birth and gender selection abortions.
Shaw said he also wanted doctors to provide pain relief to foetuses during abortion procedures and for babies to be resuscitated if they survived abortion attempts.Shaw said he also wanted doctors to provide pain relief to foetuses during abortion procedures and for babies to be resuscitated if they survived abortion attempts.
The independent MP has already voiced his objection to guidelines that require doctors to refer a woman to another medical professional if the first doctor objects to abortion. Shaw says the system is too onerous on anti-abortion doctors.The independent MP has already voiced his objection to guidelines that require doctors to refer a woman to another medical professional if the first doctor objects to abortion. Shaw says the system is too onerous on anti-abortion doctors.
This bill goes much further, and could result in the largest changes to Victoria’s abortion laws since 2008, when the practice was decriminalised.This bill goes much further, and could result in the largest changes to Victoria’s abortion laws since 2008, when the practice was decriminalised.
Shaw said Victoria’s abortion laws were among the worst in the world, and maintained he was standing up for women’s rights.Shaw said Victoria’s abortion laws were among the worst in the world, and maintained he was standing up for women’s rights.
“If in society we are saying there should be more women on boards, there should be more females in parliament, well you are killing them,” Shaw told the Herald Sun.“If in society we are saying there should be more women on boards, there should be more females in parliament, well you are killing them,” Shaw told the Herald Sun.
“Here in Australia we can’t kill snake eggs but we are quite happy to kill an egg in the tummy and it should be the safest place for a baby to be.“Here in Australia we can’t kill snake eggs but we are quite happy to kill an egg in the tummy and it should be the safest place for a baby to be.
“How can any women who are pro-women’s rights say that you can kill girls?”“How can any women who are pro-women’s rights say that you can kill girls?”
The executive director of Women's Health Victoria, Rita Butera, said Shaw's views were based on "myths and misconceptions".
"There is no evidence to suggest that there are any sex-selective abortions are happening in Victoria – we have a standard ratio of males to females," she told Guardian Australia.
"We also have a very good law when it comes to conscientious objection which respects a physician's beliefs while ensuring women have access to safe and unbiased medical attention.
"I can't even bring myself to comment on a lot of what he's said. He keeps trying to distract from the need to provide health services for women and I don't know what his motives are. He's an individual man. I'm confident that the premier will not entertain any changes to the law and understand that this issue is about a woman's choice."
Shaw resigned from the Liberal party in March amid moves for him to be expelled. The Coalition government, which had a one-seat majority before his departure from the party, relies on his vote to pass legislation.Shaw resigned from the Liberal party in March amid moves for him to be expelled. The Coalition government, which had a one-seat majority before his departure from the party, relies on his vote to pass legislation.
Shaw, a committed Christian who has been involved in a series of controversial incidents including two physical altercations with taxi drivers, has said he will use his balance of power position to drive the best deal for his Frankston electorate.Shaw, a committed Christian who has been involved in a series of controversial incidents including two physical altercations with taxi drivers, has said he will use his balance of power position to drive the best deal for his Frankston electorate.
The independent’s new bill will put pressure on the premier, Denis Napthine, who has previously ruled out any changes to the abortion laws.The independent’s new bill will put pressure on the premier, Denis Napthine, who has previously ruled out any changes to the abortion laws.
There is support for change among some in the Coalition. In March, upper house Coalition MP Bernie Finn said women who were raped should not have abortions.There is support for change among some in the Coalition. In March, upper house Coalition MP Bernie Finn said women who were raped should not have abortions.
Finn said there was “no acceptable reason for having an abortion”, claiming that “many rapists and particularly paedophiles use abortion as a defence, they use it as a way to destroy the evidence”. Napthine condemned Finn’s comments as “inappropriate”.Finn said there was “no acceptable reason for having an abortion”, claiming that “many rapists and particularly paedophiles use abortion as a defence, they use it as a way to destroy the evidence”. Napthine condemned Finn’s comments as “inappropriate”.
Labor has said it is against any changes to abortion laws, while women’s groups have urged the government not to make the process harder for women seeking an abortion.Labor has said it is against any changes to abortion laws, while women’s groups have urged the government not to make the process harder for women seeking an abortion.