Freda has done everyone a service by listing the relevant section of the proposed Bill. Of course if Natasha was genuinely interested in informing everyone about the real intentions of all the pregnancy counselling organisations she would be requiring ALL of them to spell out their position on abortion - so as well as requiring pro-life groups to say 'We don't refer for pregnancy termination' she should also be asking the 'pro-choice' groups to say that they DO refer for abortion. The clause in the Bill quoted by Freda would actually prohibit pro-life groups advertsing in that particular section, not just require them to make the statement on referrals for abortion.
Jenny Stokes

It is questionable as to whether pregnancy counselling services will remain neutral or impartial under Natasha’s proposed legislation.

Basically the abortion industry has no real competition or accountability at present.

EG:-
-adoption in this country is very minimal.
-rates of usage of more reliable contraception such as Implanon are below that of comparable countries.
-rates of female sterilization in this country are below that of comparable countries.
-many women rely solely on the male condom, which is not that reliable.
-only in WA is there a requirement for a woman to have a formal referral before an abortion can be carried out.
-except for WA, counselling is not compulsory either before or after an abortion.
-few statistics are being kept on abortion in Australia
-few studies are being carried out into abortion in Australia
-those who question the abortion industry are normally labelled various terms to try and silence them (eg “religious fanatics”, “anachronistic”, “misogynists” etc),

So the abortion industry has no real competition or accountability, and the abortion industry begins to act like a monopoly. Removing “pro-life” type organisations from the telephone directory, will reduce further any competition or accountability of the abortion industry, and makes that industry even more of a monopoly.

Considering the amount of money involved in the abortion industry, it is more than likely that the pregnancy counselling services would simply become shopfronts for the abortion industry, to direct women straight towards abortion clinics.

There will be minimal “choice”, or the term “choice” simply becomes a smokescreen type term that is used to hide the money making aspects of the abortion industry (see “Confessions of an Abortionist” http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a392350f73712.htm

Timkins,

I don't believe the intention of the bill is to change what the individual counselling services do - more so to stop those counselling services that DO NOT PROVIDE UNBIASED advice from advertising themselves as pregnancy counselling services.

I think it is incorrect to refer to an abortion industry - which appears to be designed to be inflammatory - and to say that persons providing abortions are not accountable. Doctors, who undergo extensive study and training, perform most if not all abortions. Are doctors not part of the health care industry? Australian doctors are members of the Australian Medical Association and are investigated by state governments over complaints. How could they not be accountable?

You are possibly correct to say that more information about alternative forms of contraception should be advertised via mainstream media and this is probably a difficult subject. However, the bill as far as I am aware, is about ensuring that advice is available from the people that advertise they provide it. I do not understand what this has to do with the issues you raise.

Confused,
This would come back to what constitutes a “pregnancy counselling service”? What type of accreditation systems are in place to check that they carry out proper counselling.

Legislation concerning pregnancy counselling services would be unlikely to bring about a reduction in the abortion rate, or bring about a reduction in the rate of unwanted pregnancy. In fact, it could increase those rates.

Except for WA, a woman does not have to have a formal referral from anyone to get an abortion. All she needs is a Medicare card and a piece of paper confirming her pregnancy. She need not have talked the matter through with anyone, and this leaves the system upon to profiteering by people involved in the abortion industry. If a woman is hesitant or undecided as to what to do, someone can just say that it would be much easier just to have an abortion, and her problems will be solved (although the abortion industry makes money from that)

To say that abortion is not an industry, then what is it? There are a number of companies in Australia that operate a string of clinics, and there is one organisation in Australia that operates a number of abortion clinics, and operates in 40 other countries as well.

If these organisations “do” want the abortion rate decreased, then why don’t they make more public announcements about this. Why don’t they ask for better statistics to be kept, for better studies to be undertaken into the reasons for abortion or for the reasons for unwanted pregnancy, or make public announcements asking for better programs in contraception usage.

If federal legislation is to be introduced regards abortion, then perhaps that legislation should involve setting a national goal of reducing the number of abortions by say 25% every 5 yrs. In this way, the problems of unwanted pregnancy could be properly solved, and it would help ensure that what occurs in the abortion industry becomes more accountable.

Also read the tactics employed in “Confessions of an Abortionist” http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a392350f73712.htm, and determine how often similar tactics are used in Australia

Timkins, your off-topic, deluded rantings are starting to get very boring. If you cannot come up with any comments to address the issue, then leave it to those who can.

It's very simple. Counselling services that provide truthful advice about all options are listed in the phone book for women to find them. Services that fall short of this mark will be required to make this clear, so that women do not waste time and money. (As an added bonus, women who find the concept of abortion abhorrent will also know which services to avoid, and ensure they are not unwillingly exposed to such information.)

This has nothing to do with:

a. the abortion rate
b. your view of the morality of abortion
c. the Family Court
d. the greed of the abortion industry (I don't see anyone accusing obstetricians of convincing women to get pregnant in order make a profit)
e. rates of female sterilization in this country
f. the choice of wording in opinion polls

In fact, as someone who appears to genuinely hate women, it has nothing to do with you at all, and I suggest that you get a life, rather than competing to be the first comment on any article that allows you to pursue your paranoid agenda.

Amanda, That is a bit much. What ever gives the impresssion that Timkins hates women. I do not know the bloke (I think a bloke) but his arguments may a bit off target (and mine)...... but hates women?. Am I missing something about him.....or you?