Tasmanian anti-choice Senator Guy Barnett’s motion, to disallow the use of Medicareitem16525 for second-trimester terminations in the case of severe fetal abnormality or life-threatening illness, has been heard by the Committee on Finance and Public Administration .

Over 500 submissions were received by the Committee, with many of those coming from anti-choice groups and individuals.  Public hearings were held over two days in Canberra earlier this month.  Unfortunately CbyC was not invited to present, but pro-choice groups including the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance and the National Foundation for Australian Women were joined by others such as the Rural Doctors’ Association and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in calling for the rebate to be retained.

The Committee has now released its final report into the motion, which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/5z2vlu along with a list of submissions and transcripts from the hearings. The Committee did not recommend discontinuation of Medicare funding for the procedures, but did note the lack of data available on terminations in Australia.

It is unclear at this stage whether Senator Barnett will re-introduce the motion into the Senate or propose an altered version, but he has stated that he will write to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon on the issue.  Ensure the Minister hears pro-choice voices on this issue as well!! Write to her today at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and urge her to retain Medicare funding for these vital procedures and protect pregnant women’s healthcare. 

---

Share this Page!