No abortion changes until ‘well into next year’
Radio NZ News 2 November 2017
Family First Comment: Good! More time to get ready to fight for the welfare of women and the unborn child.
Any overhaul of the country’s abortion laws won’t happen until well into next year – at the very earliest, the Labour Party says.
During a Newshub election debate, Jacinda Ardern promised to remove abortion from the Crimes Act if she became prime minister.
However, the policy does not appear in the Labour Party’s 100-day plan.
Justice Minister Andrew Little said the government remained committed to modernising the law.
“It’s a Labour commitment. We said we would do that. We’ll have to work with our coalition partners on a programme for that.”
Mr Little said he was taking advice on a potential timeframe, but a full review of the legislation would first take place.
“And then we’ll see what the legislative programme looks like and get that on track as soon as we can.”
But he cautioned it would be “well into next year” before any changes.
In New Zealand, abortion is governed by the Crimes Act 1961 and the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977.
Under the current law, a woman can have an abortion only after two doctors agree that continuing the pregnancy would seriously harm her mental or physical health.
READ MORE: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342899/no-abortion-changes-until-well-into-next-year
