Posted on 01/17/2006 5:36:26 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
ONE of the sponsors of laws to allow Australians to use the abortion pill RU486 said the issue can be divorced from the morals debate over abortion.
The inquiry into the controversial abortion-inducing drug closed for public submissions this week after receiving more than 4000 responses.
Parliament was expected to take a conscience vote early this year on whether to allow a government health agency to assess the drug for use.
New South Wales Nationals Senator Fiona Nash, who co-introduced the legislation to the Senate last year, said the laws could be separated from the abortion issue.
"This is a very specific bill and my view is this bill is not about abortion – this bill is about process," Senator Nash said to ABC radio.
"What's been put forward here is who is best able to judge the quality, safety and efficacy of this particular drug and who is best able to judge whether it should be used in Australia."
She said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) was the most appropriate body to make a decision on whether it should be made available, rather than the health minister.
"We are certainly in a situation in this country where termination is legal and while we would all prefer to see fewer abortions and we would all prefer to see more education and more prevention.
"We are in a situation where we do have to deal with this," she said.
"I believe it's appropriate that the TGA determines the quality and safety of this drug."
But Queensland Liberal MP Peter Slipper said the legislation could not be separated from the abortion issue.
"I believe it would be a negation of our responsibility if we were to flick the decision to an unelected body, an unaccountable body, such as the TGA," Mr Slipper said on ABC radio.
"I believe the minister is the appropriate person to make the decision.
"Governments and elected representatives are elected to govern – it is important to stand up and take a stand on issues of importance.
"This is a key issue on whether there ought to be legalised another means of killing unborn children."
The "good" Senator has rationalized her position to the degree she now thinks abortion isn't abortion...much less, of course, what it really is: killing babies!
Senator Nash needs medical attention!
Oh I guess this one person is the arbitor of what is a moral issue and what is not. That certainly simplifies things.
So say the fascists on the Left.
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