Family First calls for Informed Consent on Abortion

Family First comments on the recent ruling by the High Court on the Abortion Supervisory Committee, in the following press release...

Family First NZ is welcoming the comments by a High Court judge that the Abortion Supervisory Committee has been applying the abortion laws too liberally and has failed to adequately supervise the work of certifying consultants.

"The Committee has ignored the original intention of parliament and because of their lack of supervision and inaction, this has effectively led to abortion on demand," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

"As a result, approximately 18,000 abortions are performed every year, and since 1991, the number of 11-14 year olds having an abortion has increased by 144%. The number of abortions for 15-19 year olds has increased by 74%. Each week, almost 80 teenagers have an abortion, and represent almost a quarter of all abortions performed in NZ."

Ironically, at the same time as almost 18,000 abortions were being performed in NZ last year, adoptions totaled less than 90, according to the Adoption Option Trust.

"Abortions being performed at greater than 12 weeks has increased by 220%, despite all the pictures and scans we are seeing showing the fetal development of the unborn child," says Mr McCoskrie. "These images are obviously being kept hidden from some of the women seeking an abortion." "The high numbers of abortions (despite all the supposed safe sex messages and availability of contraception), and now this ruling, confirms that the Abortion Supervisory Committee continues to fail both women and the unborn child."

Family First NZ is calling for a law which requires informed consent (including ultrasound) for all potential abortions, and counselling to be provided only by non-providers of abortion services. Parental notification of teenage pregnancy and abortion should happen automatically except in exceptional circumstances approved by the court.

Family First is calling for the current law to be ammended so that women are given sufficient information, and are required to view or listen to their unborn children via ultrasound technology. Currently - as the High Court has found, abortions are being dished out far too liberally - with approximately 99% of abortions being performed because the mother was - or would "suffer psychologically". Informed consent would significantly lower the number of abortions (currently around 18,000 every year in New Zealand).