The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust has written to the Premier supporting the decriminalisation of abortion in Victoria. The Trust commends the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s considered Law of Abortion: Final Report that recommends that abortion be removed from the Crimes Act. Given the well-regulated clinical environment, other supports in place and the complexity of issues facing individual women around abortion, the Trust called for the Government to adopt legislative Model C proposed by the Commission. Along with other women’s organizations, the Trust is of the view that adoption of Model C will modernise and clarify the law, reflect current community standards; and not alter current clinical practice. The Trust also called for additional Government funding support and education around contraception and family planning to go hand in hand with abortion law reform.

The Trust’s letter to the Premier follows on from a joint press release issued by the Trust welcoming a statement by ten women’s organisations housed in the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. The joint media statement calls for immediate action on abortion law reform. All women are encouraged to write to your local member with your concerns.

Further information can be obtained from the Centre of from the or from Women’s Health Victoria at http://www.whv.org.au/topical/abortion.htm

A copy of the Commission’s final report can be obtained here.