Growing up before feminism

Lynn Barber writes an article in The Observer on her experiences of growing up before feminism.

Thanks to Danielle for this link.

Senate Committee Inquiry into Medicare item no. 16525

The following news is from Women’s Health Victoria http://www.whv.org.au/newsroom.htm

 

On the 16^th of September 2008, Senator Barnett raised a disallowance motion http://www.whv.org.au/newsroom.htm#medicareFunding to remove the Medicare item no. 16525 – “Management of second trimester labour, with or without induction, for intrauterine fetal death, gross fetal abnormality or life threatening maternal disease.”

 

This motion is to disallow item 16525 of regulations that provide Medicare funding under the Health Insurance Act of 1973. The aim of the disallowance motion is to withdraw Medicare funding for second trimester abortions and late-term abortions.

 

 If the motion is successful, women who cannot afford to pay the full cost of the procedure may be forced to continue a pregnancy.

 

The disallowance motion was referred to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry. The Committee is expected to report by the end of the year.

 

Action:

The Women’s networks encourage their members and supporters to make a written submission to the inquiry and support a woman’s fundamental right to safe, affordable and legal abortion.

 

Information on the Senate Committee inquiry, including how to make a submission

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/health_insurance_regs/index.htm

 

Or

 

Email: The Women’s Electoral Lobby http://www.wel.org.au/  in SA for a copy of the petition at welinc.sa@gmail.com and return your petitions to them at:

Women’s Electoral Lobby SA, GPO BOX 2026, Adelaide, SA 5000.

 

Further Information

Children by Choice http://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/

Children by Choice response to the Proposal to remove Medicare Item No. 16525

http://www.whv.org.au/news/CbyC_ProtectingTheHealthCareOfPregnantWomenInTheSecondTrimester.pdf

 

Abortion in Australia – New Book Published

Did you know that abortion is illegal in Victoria?

Journalist, Gideon Haigh, author of a new book called “The Racket” discusses this and other aspects of abortion history in Australia on Radio National’s Life Matters program on Monday 1st September. Topics included are abortion law, past and present; backyard abortion and ways (often horrific) that women tried to cause themselves to miscarry. He also mentioned Bertram Wainer who campaigned to overturn the law  existing in the ’60s, exposed corruption involving both police and politicians and established the first public abortion clinic in Victoria in 1972.

Items that we hold on this topic are:

Abortion Corruption & Cops: the Bertram Wainer Story [videorecording]

I Had One Too….: an Oral History of Abortion in South Australia by Barbara Baird

When Abortion was Illegal: Untold Stories [videorecording]

Pregnancy Advisory Centre Resource Pack: Information Related to Unplanned/Unwanted Pregnancy and Abortion

-Jo