Pro-life campaigner Dr Joanna Howe spearheaded NSW campaign to stop abortion access
Lobbyist Joanna Howe is back in the public spotlight after spearheading a high-profile rally alongside a former Liberal heavyweight.
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Controversial South Australian anti-abortion lobbyist Joanna Howe is back in the public spotlight after spearheading a high-profile rally in New South Wales alongside former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Dr Howe, who was banned from parts of the SA state parliament after an emotive vote on changing abortion laws last year, was in the thick of recent debate interstate.
The University of Adelaide lecturer embroiled herself in the NSW government vote to widen abortion access for women.
In the course of the passage of the bill, NSW Premier Chris Minns accused Dr Howe of spreading misinformation, which she denied, and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman told the NSW parliament he would not “cave to brazen bullying” after threats to target Labor seats.
Dr Howe dismissed the criticism in a personal YouTube video, claiming Mr Speakman and Mr Minns “teamed up to silence me”.
Despite Dr Howe’s campaigning, the bill that makes it easier for NSW women to access abortion pills by allowing nurse practitioners and registered midwives to prescribe the medication, passed this week.
Dr Howe rose to prominence in SA last year when she supported Liberal legislative council member Ben Hood’s failed bid to change abortion laws in this state.
The bill introduced by Mr Hood would have required women seeking abortions after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive. It was defeated in the upper house 10 votes to nine.
It also led to the dramatic resignation of upper house MP Jing Lee who claimed she felt “blindsided by fear” around the vote, Ms Lee is now planning to stand as an independent at the state election next year.
Upper House president Terry Stephens also banned Prof Howe from parts of state parliament over claims she insulted, threatened and intimidated MPs before the abortion reforms vote.
He banned Dr Howe, who has a doctorate of philosophy in law, from the upper house galleries, as well as corridors and other shared areas around the chamber.
Former Liberal Prime Minister Abbott was at a high-profile anti-abortion rally in Sydney earlier this month with Dr Howe leading up to the vote.
He slammed the Greens party for introducing the change, surrounded by hundreds of people at the rally holding images of Jesus along with blue and pink balloons.
One element of the new NSW bill, brought forward by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn, was passed allowing nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe the medical termination tablets up to nine weeks.
Dr Howe was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Pro-life campaigner Dr Joanna Howe spearheaded NSW campaign to stop abortion access
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