Rosaries and Ovaries
.
In Australia, there has recently been a raging debate about whether or not the abortion drug RU-486 should be released and which government department should be in charge of the regulation and sale of the highly controversial medication.
.
In short, the Federal Government's Health Minister, Mr. Tony Abbott believes that it is the Federal Government's ultimate responsibility to authorise and administer the medication. That said, Mr. Abbott is also an ex-Catholic minister and strictly against any means of abortion, whether by surgical operation or RU-486. So, Mr. Abbott is campaigning for control of the medication, in order for it to be banned because he believes that it will increase the amount of abortions that will be conducted in Australia. Like the Vatican, he too opposes the termination of any pregnancy.
.
Alternatively, the greater Australian population, pharmacists, doctors and alike believe that the decision should rest with the Therapeutic Goods Administration - the regulatory (and medically-trained) body which would usually regulate the importation and sale of pharmaceutical drugs to the public. Their decision whether to import and sell such drug is always based primarily on public health and safety, rather than on religious beliefs. There is a very good chance that if the TGA were given the role of administration, RU-486 could be accessible to women who wish to abort their unborn children, by later this year.
.
Yesterday, the Senate were asked to make a "conscience vote" (ie. a vote that is made without direction of their political party's policies, or their leader, but rather by their own conscience) about RU-486. The Senate voted in favour of allowing the TGA the role of administrating RU-486. The issue now goes before the House of Representatives, it too being asked to make a "conscience vote".
.
This has opened a can of worms which Australians have allowed in the past to fall quietly by the wayside. I believe abortion in Australia has always existed, always been conducted, but rarely talked about in public. It appears that the majority of Australians believe that it is the right of the woman to choose whether or not to terminate her unborn child.
.
Who ultimately has the right to choose whether a woman aborts her unborn child?
.
What is the role of our parliament? To be a representative of the democratic society for which he was appointed to represent? Or to make decisions which are in line with his personal beliefs?
.
I dont like Tony Abbott, that's no secret but I certainly do not envy his position right now. It would be an incredibly tough position to be in.
As for whether I believe in abortion, I'm actually stuck. Which is surprising. I'm usually the first to give my opinion on anything, if not just for conversation. But abortion is different. Abortion is about taking life away, or stopping the circumstances which inevitably leads to life being created. I dont agree with the death penalty because I dont believe that anyone has the right to choose whether someone lives or dies other than God. Would it be a complete contradiction for me to turn around and advocate the use of a drug which has the same effect as the surgical method of abortion - that is, deciding whether someone lives or dies?
.
I have quite a long way to go before I feel comfortable about my view on this extremely contraversial subject. Importantly, I do not begrudge anyone for their decision whether or not to do it. I wont ever be in the position to judge anothers actions until I am faced with the very same situation.
.
And perhaps Mr. Abbott doesnt have the right to judge others actions until he too is faced with that very same situation.
One amusing thing did come out of this whole issue in parliament this week however. A passionate female politician walked into the Senate with a T-Shirt that read "Get Your Rosaries Off My Ovaries."
.
In Australia, there has recently been a raging debate about whether or not the abortion drug RU-486 should be released and which government department should be in charge of the regulation and sale of the highly controversial medication.
.
In short, the Federal Government's Health Minister, Mr. Tony Abbott believes that it is the Federal Government's ultimate responsibility to authorise and administer the medication. That said, Mr. Abbott is also an ex-Catholic minister and strictly against any means of abortion, whether by surgical operation or RU-486. So, Mr. Abbott is campaigning for control of the medication, in order for it to be banned because he believes that it will increase the amount of abortions that will be conducted in Australia. Like the Vatican, he too opposes the termination of any pregnancy.
.
Alternatively, the greater Australian population, pharmacists, doctors and alike believe that the decision should rest with the Therapeutic Goods Administration - the regulatory (and medically-trained) body which would usually regulate the importation and sale of pharmaceutical drugs to the public. Their decision whether to import and sell such drug is always based primarily on public health and safety, rather than on religious beliefs. There is a very good chance that if the TGA were given the role of administration, RU-486 could be accessible to women who wish to abort their unborn children, by later this year.
.
Yesterday, the Senate were asked to make a "conscience vote" (ie. a vote that is made without direction of their political party's policies, or their leader, but rather by their own conscience) about RU-486. The Senate voted in favour of allowing the TGA the role of administrating RU-486. The issue now goes before the House of Representatives, it too being asked to make a "conscience vote".
.
This has opened a can of worms which Australians have allowed in the past to fall quietly by the wayside. I believe abortion in Australia has always existed, always been conducted, but rarely talked about in public. It appears that the majority of Australians believe that it is the right of the woman to choose whether or not to terminate her unborn child.
.
Who ultimately has the right to choose whether a woman aborts her unborn child?
.
What is the role of our parliament? To be a representative of the democratic society for which he was appointed to represent? Or to make decisions which are in line with his personal beliefs?
.
I dont like Tony Abbott, that's no secret but I certainly do not envy his position right now. It would be an incredibly tough position to be in.
As for whether I believe in abortion, I'm actually stuck. Which is surprising. I'm usually the first to give my opinion on anything, if not just for conversation. But abortion is different. Abortion is about taking life away, or stopping the circumstances which inevitably leads to life being created. I dont agree with the death penalty because I dont believe that anyone has the right to choose whether someone lives or dies other than God. Would it be a complete contradiction for me to turn around and advocate the use of a drug which has the same effect as the surgical method of abortion - that is, deciding whether someone lives or dies?
.
I have quite a long way to go before I feel comfortable about my view on this extremely contraversial subject. Importantly, I do not begrudge anyone for their decision whether or not to do it. I wont ever be in the position to judge anothers actions until I am faced with the very same situation.
.
And perhaps Mr. Abbott doesnt have the right to judge others actions until he too is faced with that very same situation.
One amusing thing did come out of this whole issue in parliament this week however. A passionate female politician walked into the Senate with a T-Shirt that read "Get Your Rosaries Off My Ovaries."
.
posted by KateOnTheGo at
8:31 PM
3 Comments:
Kate,
“As for whether I believe in abortion, I'm actually stuck.”
It’s a tough nut to crack, and the decision must vary from case to case, and really should be up to the woman and her (even if it was one time) partner. Personally, I believe that a woman should have a right to choose, it is her life, her body, her decision. I also think that another problem with the abortion debate is that it has too many factors...
Morality
Conscience
Religion
Sexual responsibility and accountability
Family
Women’s rights etc...
When you try to mix them together things usually get messy. I don’t know why...
I also noticed that a lot of the pro lifers that were shown on the news were middle aged men, whom which have never been in the position of a young lady with an unwanted pregnancy.
But you are right, it is wrong to pass judgment on someone when you have never been in that situation.
Matthew
P.S. Thanks for putting a link up to my blog, I will return the favour as soon as possible.
I have a problem with any taking life unless its your own and then its up to the individual! as you know I have no religious affilliation, but as its said "there are no true agnostics on the battlefield" So I would, possibly "hedge my bets" just in case. One day I may know if this is the case!
I have seen many young ladies who, having met the man of their dreams, became pregnant and were left on "lifes wayside" to struggle to raise that which didn`t ask to be born, eventually having them taken away from them while the themselves have fallen into the ravages of dispair. Their families from similar backgrounds being unable to help. I guess most of the resultant children have ended up loved and nutured but several haven`t and now lead a life of crime and drugs, lacking proper direction and generally a bad lot. In all the cases I mention a brief "upset" when a visit to the clinic confirmed their pregnancy, laying out their options and the options of their companions, could have ended it and allowed for a second chance to grow togeather before the final commital to "having a child togeather". I make no mention of those who in a "fling" have became pregnant and would have wished that they had the choice!
It is my firm belief that any descision to terminate a pregnancy should be taken by the individuals concerned (which may even include those family members that could be required to take a support roll such as mothers and fathers even sisters and brothers where applicable)and then only after some form of "kind" councilling has been undergone. And then and only then given that the proceedure is available in a kind manner, the "deed" undertaken. Those involved must never look back and never be allowed to feel guilty and be aware that their life has been made richer by this act and they should take the time to talk to those less fortunate than ther were and where possible donate a few minutes to hearing their cry in the wilderness as they too struggle through life to retain and maintain a child that they clearly should not have brought into this world. So sad!
Hmm ... I'd like to comment, although I am doing it from a splintery position on the fence:
I believe the choice to terminate a pregnancy needs to exist. I strongly agree with aspects of the 2 posts above.
My first baby was stillborn, therefore I know first hand that at 22 weeks, a baby is fully formed and requires a little more lung development, only a few more layers of skin and for their eyes to open in order to stand a strong chance of survival. After my experience, I questioned abortion (understandably), yet still felt it needed to be an option for women (undertaken only, as Rob said, after counselling).
I had a very high risk, complicated 2nd pregnancy and at 11 weeks gestation, was advised to strongly consider terminating my pregnancy as a result of worrying genetic test results. Thankfully, we were fortunate enough to beat the odds and bring our little miracle baby into the world perfectly healthy! When I see pictures of my gorgeous Charlotte all over this blog I am awfully glad I trusted my gut instinct, which told me a baby was a gift in any form and to take a few chances and trust in my faith and in fate.
It is for this reason I am staying firmly planted on my fence post. At any rate, I certainly don't believe a male politician has any right whatsoever to even hold an opinion in this debate. Maybe, just maybe, you need to carry a life inside you to even know where to begin to form an opinion ... I certainly wouldn't wish a decision to terminate a pregnancy on my worst enemy.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home