NSW Premier responds to north shore church objections to abortion bill
Gladys Berejiklian is facing backlash from church members and a senior Anglican minister within her north shore electorate as debate continues over whether abortion should be legalised in NSW.
North Shore
Don't miss out on the headlines from North Shore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Pollution level impacts increase fourfold on NorthConnex
- Six-storey Coles approved for Lindfield
- Your chance to win a double pass to Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS!
Gladys Berejiklian is facing backlash from church members and a senior Anglican minister within her north shore electorate as debate continues over whether abortion should be legalised in NSW.
Members of the Willoughby Park Anglican Church have sent dozens of letters to the Premier outlining objections to the Reproductive Health Care Bill including concerns the legislation could “open the floodgates” to late-term abortions.
If passed, the bill would end the 119-year criminalisation of abortion in NSW and allow for terminations after 22 weeks with the consent of two doctors.
Ms Berejiklian, whose electorate takes in the leafy Willoughby suburb, was among 59 MPs who supported the legislation when it passed the state’s Lower House last month.
Senior Anglican Church minister Tim Swan said there was “growing concern” among his congregation, arguing “matters of life and death should not be determined by a conscience vote.”
The church’s objections are reflected in a larger-than-life pro-life sign outside the church carrying the quote: “open your mouth for those who have no voice”.
“Many members of my church are very concerned about what’s been proposed and have written to Gladys putting forward the Christian viewpoint — the bible is very clear that life begins at conception not birth,” he said.
“One lady got up in church and spoke about her brothers who have down syndrome and she thinks if this bill had been in place she may not have had the joy in knowing them.
“After 22 weeks my belief is that an abortion should be outlawed completely unless there’s some major threat to the health of the mother.
“It makes my skin crawl that my tax money may go towards terminating someone’s life.
“In my view our local member is not listening to her constituents.”
The legislation was due to be voted on in the upper house last month before Ms Berejiklian agreed to delay its passage to September 17.
The bill has caused a split within the Liberal Party with MPs Tanya Davies and Kevin Connolly threatening to sit on the cross bench if it passes without amendments that would make it tougher for an abortion to be carried out in NSW.
Ms Berejiklian in a letter to the church said she “acknowledged” the concerns raised and that amendments had been added to “provide additional safeguards.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Berejiklian said “the Premier appreciated there are very strong views in the community on this issue.”
“The Premier believes there is overwhelming community support for this to no longer be a matter for the Crimes Act,” she said.
“It is now for each member in the (upper house) to consider their position on the bill.”
Objections of the Willoughby Park Anglican Church are meanwhile at odds with the Uniting Church’s moderator Simon Hansford, who last month broke ranks with other religious institutions to back the legislation.
Mr Hansford in an open letter said abortion should be considered a health and social issue — not a criminal issue.
“While we encourage our ministers to remind people of the sacredness of life, the church’s role should be to offer care and support leading up to and following a decision, not stand in judgment,” he said.
“Respect for the sacredness of life means advocating for the needs of women as well as every unborn child.”
Amendments to the bill supported in the lower house included changes to ensure specialists perform late-term abortions in approved public facilities. Doctors would also need to consider whether a pregnant woman needs counselling.
Pro-Choice NSW said the changes were unnecessary and could result in “unworkable restrictions” on a person’s right to choose
If the bill is passed by the upper house, it will bring NSW abortion laws into line with other states and territories in Australia.