Decriminalisation of Abortion in Tasmania

Tasmanian Citizens draw to the attention of the Legislative Council that, if allowed to pass, the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Bill 2013 will: 1. Allow the abortion on demand of unborn babies up to 16 weeks of age from conception for any reason and allow the abortion of unborn babies from 16 weeks of age to term for such a wide range of reasons (current and future physical, psychological, social and economic concerns) as to effectively constitute abortion on demand. As such, this Bill fails to acknowledge or protect the human rights of unborn babies. 2. Remove any requirement for offering counselling prior to a woman undergoing an abortion. 3. Continue to impose possible short and long term physical and psychological consequences of abortion on women's health. 4. Impose professional and legal sanctions on doctors and counsellors who do not refer to abortion services for reasons of conscientious objection. 5. Restrict free speech by placing further sanctions on peaceful protest within 150 metres of an abortion facility. Your petitioners therefore request the Legislative Council to reject the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Bill 2013 in its entirety.