ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA

ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA

* The Health Insurance Commission collects data about Medicare services. There is a Medicare item number (35643) which can be accessed for Abortion procedures. The figures below have been calculated using these statistics. Those abortions performed in public hospitals would not attract a Medicare Item number and so these numbers are not included in the HIC figures however it is reasonable to look at the HIC figures for trends and given the waiting lists and over stretched public system as well as improved access to private clinics it is reasonable to predict that over time relatively more people will have opted to go private. It is commonly understood that in the past, women and doctors have sometimes called the abortions they had ,or did, "curettes" for emotional, social or legal reasons. So old abortion figures, must be rubbery before it was acceptable and private to record the true nature of the procedure.

* Using the HIC Medicare Figures for Item 35643 the total number of abortions in Australia has DECLINED over the last 10 years from around 77,000 to around 73,000. It is important to note that the POPULATION HAS INCREASED over that period so the number of abortions per capita - or ABORTION RATE - must have fallen even more.

* Looking at the break abortions by age group

- there has been a DECLINE in the abortion numbers in TEENAGE Abortions ( 0-19 age group)

- there has been an INCREASE in the 35+ group

This raises some interesting issues - The decrease in teen pregnancies could be due to better education and/ or better access to or uptake of contraception and/or a change in sexual behaviour. It may mean less abortions because of less pregnancies or may be more young people going on to term. It would be interesting to plot the number of deliveries in the same demographic.

However the rise in 35+ abortions is a concern. This probably reflects better prenatal testing for foetal abnormalities but it may also indicate a problem with contraception in this group - It would be interesting to know what the break down of these women is in regard to being in relationships or single.

* There is debate about late term abortions that has been going on for at least 6 years - This has been raised after the referral of a case to the medical board in Victoria

- click HERE to visit NINEMSN site The Bulletin Magazine for an account. The matter was recently heard in the Victorian Magistrate Court .

- click HERE to read an October 2004 article in the Melbourne Herald Sun on the issue

- click HERE to visit the Victorian State Government site where the paper from the Medical Practitioners Board Report on late term terminations of pregnancy , April 1998 is displayed and shows a range of opinions.- NB this is prior to the recent Court case.

- It is important to realise that the vast majority of Abortions DO NOT occur in late term. MOST abortions occur before 12 weeks. Late term abortions are rare and of obvious concern.

SOME POINTS TO PONDER

Abortions have been carried out for centuries.

Most women who have abortions do not speak up about it. I can only speak anecdotally but as a doctor or 20 + years clinical experience who has seen thousands of women who have had abortions or considering to have one. I feel that when they receive proper advice and counselling prior to their procedure, and it has been totally their own decision, the over whelming vast majority of women DO NOT have long term psychological problems. I believe the portrayal of abortion in films and stories does not reflect the mainstream but films and stories are often about the exceptions and a good story needs emotion - we need to deal with facts.

Prior to the provision of safe legal abortions women died as a consequence of unsafe procedures. Now women can be secure knowing that the procedure they choose is done under proper safe, hygienic medical conditions .

While there are groups of people who, for cultural, personal or religious reasons believe that abortion is wrong there must be more that believe that a woman deserves a choice - otherwise it would not be possible to legally have one in this country. Considering that only last month we went to a federal election and this issue WAS NOT on the electoral platform it seems, to me at least , that it odd that the Government, or the Minister for Health at lease, bring it up now. It is not a new issue.

I respect the rights of people who feel abortion is wrong not to have one. However as a Medical Practitioner, a mother, and a woman I respect the rights of those who choose to have one. I do not think anyone has the right to force anyone to have OR not to have an abortion.

Changing the Law will not stop women seeking abortions it will only make it unsafe for them to do so .