Article released by the Australian Christian Lobby
The US Congress this week voted to ban taxpayer subsidising of abortion in its health care bill.
In fact, the bill, a centrepiece of President Obama’s agenda, would not have passed unless he agreed to Congress’ demand to use an Executive Order to ensure no public money was used for abortion.
The abortion debate is far from settled and research shows a majority of Australians are uncomfortable with abortion – particularly late term abortion.
A recent Senate Inquiry into Medicare Funding of late term abortions heard evidence that some aborted babies were born alive and left to die.
Taxpayers’ money, particularly that of conscientious objectors, should not be use for ending the life of the unborn particularly where there is no lethal abnormality and where the mother’s life is not at risk.
It is disappointing that the Federal Government has ignored the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry to collect nationally consistent data on abortion, despite the fact that politicians on both sides of the debate agree that there are too many abortions.
It is estimated that 80,000-90,000 abortions occur each year in Australia.
President Obama’s Executive Order banning taxpayer subsidising of abortion only allows public funding in the rare cases of rape, incest or where the mother’s life is endangered.
While some US pro-life groups are concerned the Bill and Executive Order may have loopholes, it is nonetheless encouraging that the plight of the unborn has been elevated to the top of the US’ political agenda, albeit briefly.
