The Victorian Greens are urging the Premier to work with them to enshrine abortion access into the constitution as the politicisation of abortion continues to grow across the country, ultimately having a perverse effect on ensuring people have access to this essential healthcare.
It comes as the Queensland Liberal government has passed an unprecedented motion to gag debate on abortion in the Parliament. This motion will prevent any debate on the issue including the expansion of services, something that many health providers in the state have called for.
Last month the Victorian Greens introduced a Bill to enshrine abortion access into the constitution.
The Victorian Greens health services spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield said that the move in QLD is a stark example of the perverse effect of the increasing politicisation of abortion here in Australia.
This is exactly why the Premier should act on the Greens' calls to enshrine abortion into the constitution, so that we can ensure that Victorians access to abortion is safeguarded, while at the same time not preventing the problems with accessing abortion being raised in the parliament.
As stated by the Victorian Greens spokesperson for health services, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
"Around the world and here in Australia, we've seen abortion increasingly politicised and Victoria is not immune. Abortion is already a postcode lottery in Victoria, and we cannot risk access being wound back by a change in government.
"What we've seen occur in QLD is staggering. It is a dire example of politics and ideology interfering with access to essential health care.
"The Premier has left the door open on working with the Greens to enshrine abortion access into the constitution and as politicisation runs rife, it's never been more urgent that we work together and safeguard abortion access for Victorians for good."
