My own amendment to the Decriminalisation of Abortion Bill

The Australian has reported that Catholic anti-choice groups are warning MPs that a portion of the bill may breech Victoria's Charter of Human Rights.

That'll be the bit where they have to refer a woman to a doctor with no conscientious objection to performing an abortion.

I'd like to propose my own amendment that will nip the problem in the bud and allow women with problem pregnancies to nip them in the bud with a minimum of humiliation and embarrassment. Hospitals and doctors with conscientious objections to abortion and birth control should have clear signs in their waiting rooms warning patients that this is the case. That will save both the women and the doctors some time, save the women some money in the case of private consultations and above all, spare the women the humiliation and embarrassment of harsh judgement at such a vulnerable time in their lives.

Signs would circumvent the problem of doctors acting against their conscience and hospitals acting against their charter because women wouldn't waste their time with people who put their faith before their patients. (This happened to a friend of mine who went to the Mercy to enquire about a contraceptive implant. The nurse let her explain the whole situation before saying, "You know we're a Catholic hospital?" My friend was naturally peeved.)

As for the objection to performing an abortion to save the life of the mother, Archbishop Denis Hart knows damn well that the Catholic church has the Doctrine of Double Effect to deal with situations like that. Catholic doctors would not have to act against their consciences if the mother's life was at stake. According to the doctrine of double effect an abortion to save the mother's life is morally permissible. It is not the problem Catholic groups are making it out to be.

I'll say it again, BIG signs stating that:

"This Practice Does Not Provide Full Reproductive Health Services"

would solve the problem. Women could ring around until they found a doctor who did provide a full service. In fact, women could choose their family GP and specialists based on these considerations if they wished to do so. I wonder how many patients a doctor would lose after placement of such a sign?