Fed: Parliament to vote on RU486 bill

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2006
Fed: Parliament to vote on RU486 bill

CANBERRA, Feb 16 AAP - Federal MPs will today vote on whether to remove Health Minister
Tony Abbott's control over the abortion drug RU486.

The vote followed an extended midnight sitting of parliament during which MPs spoke
passionately on the issue.

Mr Abbott launched a scathing attack on the pro-abortion movement, saying abortion
was worn as a "badge of liberation" by some and likening it to murder.

But Treasurer Peter Costello strongly backed a woman's right to choose and said he
would use his conscience vote to support the bill.

Mr Costello said that 18 years ago, as his wife lay unconscious in hospital, he was
confronted with the choice of whether to abort their pregnancy.

He chose to continue with the treatment and the pregnancy and both survived.

But he was adamant that the law should have allowed him the choice.

Before they vote on the bill today MPs will have to consider proposed changes by Liberal
backbenchers Jackie Kelly and Andrew Laming.

Ms Kelly is pushing to retain Mr Abbott's control over the drug but give parliament
the final say.

If Ms Kelly's amendments are supported, the bill will be thrown out entirely and she
will have to introduce a new bill to be considered by both houses of parliament.

The Senate has already passed the bill.

AAP pjo/it/bwl

KEYWORD: ABORTION DAYLEAD

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