by former intern Andy Moore, author of the blog, Star Studded Superstep
On June 17 pro-life groups in New Zealand were taking heart following the release of the official 2009 abortion statistics. In 2009, 17,550 abortions were committed as opposed to 18,380 in 2008.
830 fewer abortions were seen as a reflection on the recent Gallup polling in the United States showing that for the first time since '95, more Americans considered themselves pro-life than pro-choice.
But only 3 weeks later, feminist liberal, Labour MP Stephanie "Steve" Chadwick (pictured right) alerted the media to a bill she had drafted and hoped to introduce to Parliament....
The bill's intention is to completely decriminalize abortion all the way up to 24 weeks. Chadwick is a noted ally of the pro child-killing lobby, and it would be no surprise to hear that she and long-time abortion activist, Dame Margaret Sparrow, president of the extreme pro-abortion group, ALRANZ, had drafted the bill together. At the release of the 2009 statistics, ALRANZ had bemoaned what they claimed was the inaccessibility of abortions.
In NZ, over 98% of abortions are committed under the "mental health of the mother" grounds, and it is widely acknowledged that we have abortion-on-demand, or something very close to it.
The opening line of a recent article in a major media outlet amused me:
At least 1 organization (the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand) has come out in support of Labour MP Steve Chadwick's plans to liberalize laws around abortion.Oddly, the article then went on to extensively cite comments from 3 NZ pro-life groups.
Throughout the nation the response from pro-life groups has been encouraging Right to Life NZ states the proposed bill effectively provides for abortion on demand up to birth. Family Life International NZ has vowed to fight the bill tooth and nail, stating "The end result of this will simply be more damaged women, and more dead unborn human beings." Prolife NZ drew the connection to the situation in the UK where the government has announced plans to reduce legal abortion age from 24 weeks to 22 or 20 weeks, acknowledging that advances in science mean that babies can survive from increasingly early ages. "It goes against common sense to be moving in the opposite direction in NZ," said vice-president, Sargia Harrison.
Abortion on demand is the ultimate goal of ALRANZ, and they know they can either aim for an extreme reform of the abortion law and then settle for a compromise, or aim for a small step in the direction of decriminalizing abortion. They know such an extreme bill will fail, but it conditions the minds of New Zealanders toward acceptance of total decriminalization of abortion when it does come.
The truth is, NZ does not want this debate. Reporters, politicians and the public all hate being confronted with the issue, for various reasons. They would much rather ignore this blight on our society.
But the growing pro-life movement in NZ sees this as an opportunity to raise its voice and take a stand for justice on behalf of the preborn, and to expose the pro- child-killing lobby and abortion industry for what they really are.
[Chadwick photo via guide2.co.nz]
Comments:
As a grown up preemie, this story is awful. How could a society tolerate this kind of unjustice? Late term abortions were thankfully illegal when I was born, but can you imagine my father praying for me over the incubator while a few blocks away a child of the same age is being murdered? That's just insane.
Posted by: ninek at July 14, 2010 11:26 AMDisgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
Posted by: MaryLee at July 14, 2010 11:43 AMAlison McCulloch a member of the Abortion Law Reform Association {ALRANZ]claims that the decriminalisation of abortion in New Zealand needs to be given a fair hearing. The overwhelming response on talk back radio reveals that there is overwhelming opposition to the proposal. It should be known that ALRANZ with a national membership of a paltry 200 does not represent the views of New Zealanders.The killing of innocent unborn children is a crime against humanity.The Member of Parliament proposing the law change claims that abortion is a human right and a health matter.It is not it is a justice issue and abortion is a serious crime and should remain so.Right to Life will vigorously oppose the decriminalising of abortion.
Posted by: Ken Orr at July 14, 2010 5:48 PMAlison McCulloch a member of the Abortion Law Reform Association {ALRANZ]claims that the decriminalisation of abortion in New Zealand needs to be given a fair hearing. The overwhelming response on talk back radio reveals that there is overwhelming opposition to the proposal. It should be known that ALRANZ with a national membership of a paltry 200 does not represent the views of New Zealanders.The killing of innocent unborn children is a crime against humanity.The Member of Parliament proposing the law change claims that abortion is a human right and a health matter.It is not it is a justice issue and abortion is a serious crime and should remain so.Right to Life will vigorously oppose the decriminalising of abortion.
Posted by: Ken Orr at July 14, 2010 5:49 PMAlison McCulloch a member of the Abortion Law Reform Association {ALRANZ]claims that the decriminalisation of abortion in New Zealand needs to be given a fair hearing. The overwhelming response on talk back radio reveals that there is overwhelming opposition to the proposal. It should be known that ALRANZ with a national membership of a paltry 200 does not represent the views of New Zealanders.The killing of innocent unborn children is a crime against humanity.The Member of Parliament proposing the law change claims that abortion is a human right and a health matter.It is not it is a justice issue and abortion is a serious crime and should remain so.Right to Life will vigorously oppose the decriminalising of abortion.
Posted by: Ken Orr at July 14, 2010 5:49 PMSad! When are going to get some good news on the pro life front?
Posted by: Bill at July 16, 2010 5:17 PM