More than 50 South Australian doctors co-sign letter to AMA oppose abortion reforms in state parliament

More than 50 SA doctors have co-signed a scathing letter addressed to the AMA arguing proposed abortion reforms would make GPs accessories “to the killing of a child”.

More than 50 South Australian doctors have written to the Australian Medical Association, refusing to become “accessories to the killing of children” under controversial abortion reforms being debated in state parliament.

The open letter, addressed to AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid, claims the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2020 “runs roughshod over the conscientious objection of health professionals” to performing abortions.

Under the proposed reforms, doctors who conscientiously object to abortion must refer a woman to a doctor who is prepared to perform the procedure.

“In this way, such a doctor is required to be an accessory to the killing of a child,” the letter says.

“It is coercing the doctor to co-operate in an evil act. The AMA and the parliament must reject this bullying of doctors to act against their conscience …”

The letter, obtained by Labor MLC Clare Scriven, goes on to oppose many other aspects of the bill, which seeks to govern abortion under health regulations rather than criminal law.

The letter was obtained by Labor MLC Clare Scriven.

The letter was addressed to AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid.

Under the proposed laws, an abortion can be performed by just one medical practitioner up to 22 weeks and six days gestation.

After that period, a medical practitioner can perform an abortion only after consulting with another practitioner and if they both agree the procedure is medically appropriate.

The letter was signed by 54 doctors, including obstetricians and gynaecologists and spearheaded by newly-joined AMA member Dr Elvis Seman.

AMA SA President Dr Chris Moy said the association supports the proposed legislation.

“The key point is that abortion is a health issue for women for which it is inappropriate and anachronistic to apply a burden of criminality to decisions which are already very difficult for women,” he said.

“In respect to the concerns about the ability of doctors to conscientiously object the AMA is strong in ensuring that doctors are able to do so, so long as these are genuine and long held beliefs.

“Having said this, in becoming a doctor we sign up to a higher standard which is that we cannot abandon our patients when they require our care, and that we must not impede their care intentionally.”

The Termination of Pregnancy Bill is expected to be further debated on Wednesday night.

It is likely to be passed in the Legislative Council by the end of the week before progressing to the House of Assembly.

It must then pass the House of Assembly to become law – but that may now happen until next year.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said the bill would bring SA in line with other states and territories.

“It decriminalises something that is primarily a health issue and ensures that all pregnancy terminations are conducted in clinical settings,” she said.

“Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is one of, if not the, most difficult decision a woman will ever make.”

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