Thousands gathered outside NSW Parliament House on Wednesday to protest against a bill that would allow the state’s Health Minister to force Catholic hospitals to provide abortions and remove conscientious objection rights from health care practitioners. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The footpaths on both sides of Macquarie Street were already filling up thirty minutes before the rally’s official start. By the time it began, police needed to close two lanes of traffic to accommodate the burgeoning crowd.
Anti-abortion advocate Joanna Howe welcomed the crowd, saying: “We put the call out less than a week ago; I was hoping we would get 200 people here; we’ve got thousands.”
While the bill is a private members’ bill tabled by Greens MLC Amanda Cohn, both the Government and the Opposition granted party members a conscience vote.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed party members would receive a conscience vote but told media he did not support changes to conscientious objection provisions.
Professor Howe addressed Mr Minns’ comments on the bill, telling the crowd that it was the job of the Government to ensure it did not proceed.
“It is not enough for the premier of this state, Chris Minns, to say that he will not personally vote for it. NSW Labor is the party of government, and they must block this bill.”
She also addressed the narrative being pushed by the bill’s sponsor.
“Amanda Cohn from the Greens has said this isn’t about attacking people of faith, it’s not about attacking Christians,” Professor Howe said. “Why do we have this power in this bill that says that the Minister for Health can order hospitals to perform abortions? If that’s not her goal, take it out of the bill,” she challenged.
Liberal MP Susan Carter called for the “bad bill” to be rejected in its entirety.
“We need stronger consciences to shape our society – not a state that seeks to limit how we can use our conscience.”
There is no timeline set for the bill’s debate, however, it could begin as early as March 26.
FULL STORY
MPs take note as thousands rally against abortion bill (By Monica Doumit, The Catholic Weekly)
