Suse, apparently approximately 75,000 abortions are performed in Austrlia annually, which includes those for medical reasons to do with maternal health and those which are essentially elective.

In other words, even if an Abbott government was to make elective abortion illegal and reduce it to zero, it would be a problem for only a small number of women. In fact, so small that they are electorally negligible.

Now, I can't see that happening, but I can see efforts made to make extensive counselling and cooling-off periods mandatory, which would not be a bad thing, because the last thing needed is such a serious decision being made on impulse. Now, if he also made it possible for fathers to choose to sever all parental rights and obligations if an accidental pregnancy was to occur, then the number would no doubt skyrocket.

I'm not convinced that any gubmunt should buy into the abortion issue, least of all because of any perceived religious reasons. The RAbbott and / or the church of rome have lost all claim to credibility through their unwillingness to clean up their own acts re pedophile priests. In any case, the cavalier attitude displayed to their supposed beliefs disqualifies that particular franchise from making moral judgment on ANYONE.

It's obvious some women have found abortion to be a genuinely traumatic experience, even when it is done in surgical surrounds. My ex-wife had a 23 week foetus that was anencephalic induced (not surgically aborted) and I am confident it was the trauma associated with that for her that was a significant factor in her later anger toward me. That was a clear-cut case, because the foetus would never have been viable and she chose to have it induced rather than to undergo surgery, but it was still traumatic for both of us, although much more so her, for obvious reasons.

It's because of that and because abortions have historically been economic decisions (see Anne Summers on her own experience, which has obviously shaped her life), it makes sense to ensure the woman/girl is properly aware of the demons she might face later as well as to offer her alternatives, such as adoption.

We don't do anybody any favours by pretending it's no different to getting a tooth filled, all we do is add a likely sense of failure to cope when the emotional response rolls in. Of course, some women sail straight through with no problems. A former girl friend claimed she'd had 3 and was almost prideful. She was determined that she had a program for her life that was not going to be changed by an unwanted pregnancy. Last I heard she's been quite successful in carrying that program out and has 2 children to her husband.

Either way, I don;t think it's a huge issue. Contraception is getting better all the time and women and men are more assiduous in using it. the birth rate is declining and will probably continue to do so.

It's a storm in a kidney dish.

I'm the furthest thing possible from a feminist sympathizer, however I don't believe any male (other than husband or partner) has any right to dictate what women choose to do with their own bodies. Abortions probably aren't exactly 'good', but other than the individuals involved in particular cases, its none of anyone elses business, least of all meddling do-gooders & politicians with whatever agenda.

'I, and many others, are not convinced that Abbott will be able to 'allow' women to continue to have a choice over whether they will be allowed to abort their pregnancy if they want to, or not . '

I Hope you are right Susie. At least more people including those like yourself will get a say before being butchered in the womb. You just happen to be a lucky one.

Antiseptic, don't you think there are already many help organisations for pregnant women in crisis, and an incredible amount of information for and against abortion on the Internet ?

Contraception is widely available and easy to use, so I don't think a lack of support or effective contraception is an issue. Decisions about abortion are so much more complex than that in many cases.

As for your little extra comment about men not having to take responsibility for an unwanted pregnancy/baby, I would suggest that if they don't want to make a baby but still want the sex, then always wear a condom.
An easy solution....right?

Runner, believe it or not, I totally agree that the abortion rate should be nil.
I believe that one day it will be, but not at the expense of women's rights.