Howard rules out changes to abortion laws

John Howard

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out changes to abortion laws after the Family First party suggested women seeking terminations be made to wait 72 hours before undergoing surgery.

The Family First party says in its policy statement that pregnant women should be given enough time, support and information to make informed decisions.

"Family First supports the view that women seeking information on abortion be given adequate time in which to consider the advice and information before making a decision to proceed to termination (this could take the form of a 72-hour cooling off period)," the party's website said.

Abortion is regulated by state law but the commonwealth funds termination procedures through Medicare.

Mr Howard said while he was not aware of Family First's policy, the government was not considering changes to the law.

"I have previously expressed a view that people are obviously entitled to debate the issue, but we're not proposing any changes in relation to the law," he told reporters.

"I think I may have previously said that I saw some merit in supporting organisations that provided advice for, and approaches and alternatives to abortion.

"But the government doesn't have any plans to intervene and alter the current arrangements in relation to Medicare funding."

The push by Family First comes as the Australian Democrats seek to overturn an effective ban on the use of the abortion pill mifepristone, or RU486.

Under the 1996 laws initiated by former independent senator Brian Harradine, women wanting to access the drug must first apply to the federal health minister for approval.

Mifepristone has been licensed for use in France since 1988, in the United Kingdom since 1991 and in the United States since 2000.

Democrats Senator Lyn Allison said the drug was a proven, safe alternative to surgical abortions and Australian women deserved more options.

"Two million women worldwide have used RU486 and it's proven to be safe and I think Australian women ought to have that choice as well," Senator Allison told reporters."

Moves to overturn the laws have been backed by the Australian Medical Association but are likely to be met with strong resistance in the Senate.

Family First Senator Steve Fielding said there was no need to change the current rules created at the insistence of Senator Harradine.

"The amendment he put through made a lot of sense to me," he said.

"So I don't see any need to change the current access arrangements for that particular drug."

Nationals' Senate Leader Ron Boswell, a prominent anti-abortion campaigner, said he would not be voting with the Democrats.

"No. I just don't support it," he said.

Mr Howard said above all, abortion was a personal issue.

"I mean these things in the end ought to be matters between individuals and medical advisers," he said.

"But I think all points of view should be respected including the point of view that is critical of current arrangements."

- AAP