Marissa Calligeros ('Abortion women told: 'see a lawyer first',October 26, 2009) reports that a Queensland Health consent form (draft) was sent to obstetricians last week. This draft form advises patients of the medical risks and outlines the "psychiatric risks" , including depression and "anxiety disorders", associated with abortion. The draft consent form also encourages women to seek independent legal advice.
Abortion is currently unlawful in Queensland unless it is performed to "preserve the woman from serious harm to her life or physical or mental health".
The article makes (yet another) mention of Tegan Leach, a 19 year old Cairns woman who was "charged earlier this year for procuring her own miscarriage, while her partner Sergie Brennan, 21, was charged for procuring a miscarriage and supplying a drug, namely misoprostol". The ongoing exploitation of this young couple by the pro abortion lobby is inexcusable. The young couple were, in fact, charged with importing an illegal drug, not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to induce an abortion, which raises issues of safety. The situation of this young couple in crisis has been splashed on newspapers all around the world in what can only be described as a heartless campaign by those pushing for liberal abortion laws in Queensland.
Ms.Calligeros reports that "Since Leach's arrest, doctors have lobbied the State Government to include medical abortions, using labor-inducing drugs, in the criminal code, which previously accounted for surgical abortions only". It is questionable whether the financial beneficiaries of abortion should have any input into what is (or isn't) included in the criminal code.
The Queensland Health Consent form (draft) states that "When all of the requirements of this consent form have been fulfilled, Queensland Health considers that the treating team may lawfully perform the termination of pregnancy."
Caroline de Costa, Cairns gynaecologist, in opposition to the consent form draft, stated that "the form would only alarm women already facing the trauma of a termination" and that "It would be very disconcerting at the least and probably quite frightening to be confronted with this."
Ms de Costa also commented that "It's very hard for a woman to make a decision about abortion for herself anyway and to be confronted with the news that she may be committing a crime and she needs to understand this as well as the medical implications of having the procedure or not having it is a huge burden to place on her".
Many doctors, groups and individuals oppposed to abortion have argued strongly that women are often not aware of what the procedure entails, possible risks, or of options other than abortion and that the abortion industry is thriving due to this lack of knowledge and information. The burden placed on women is even greater, often unbearable, when the implications of having an abortion are realised too late.
Cairns doctor, Dr. Tim Doyle asked "What is so wrong with giving women all the information on abortion?" He applauded the Queensland Government saying "Full marks to the State Government for giving women all the facts on abortion so that they can make an informed choice, particularly when under pressure from abortionists or a male friend to have an abortion. The current abortion law in Queensland empowers women to make the choice to choose NOT to have an abortion when under such pressure".
Other feedback on the Brisbane Times website also expressed frustration at the lack of opinion sought (by media outlets) from anyone other than those supportive of the abortion industry, in this case Caroline de Costa.
Sonja Couroupis, President of Life Network Australia, also welcomes the move by the Queensland Government, stating that "Women and families deserve to know all the facts and they deserve better support and options than they are currently being provided with - this is a huge step forward to empowering women who in many cases feel overwhelmed by the lack of information and support made available to them in difficult circumstances".
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