Position Statement: Abortion

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Abortion

Unplanned pregnancy is an issue that has significant health consequences. The possibility of an unplanned pregnancy is a reality that women face throughout their reproductive years. There is no contraceptive method that is 100% effective, and many new contraceptive products are not available in Australia. Accessibility to safe and affordable abortion services ensures the rights of women to reproductive self determination.

Barriers that exist include:

• lack of information
• almost non-existent provision of abortion services in Queensland's public hospital system
• limited locations of clinical abortion services and travel costs for women and remote areas
• affordability of abortion procedure
• taboos, myths, and misinformation surrounding abortion
• criminality of abortion (abortion is the only surgical procedure covered by the Queensland Criminal Code)

Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) affirms that women of all ages regardless of marital status, religious affiliation, cultural background and sexual preferences must have access to:

• all forms of health services and medical procedures which relate to their sexual health and reproductive lives
• well researched, unbiased, accurate and easily understood information which enables them to make informed decisions about unplanned pregnancy options
• safe, legal and affordable abortion services are provided for on the same basis as other medical procedures including provision through public hospitals
• affordable abortion procedures
• increased choice in abortion methods including the availability of mifepristone (also known as RU486) for use in abortion

FPQ believes that abortion should be regulated under health laws. FPQ believes that surgical abortion, performed by qualified health professionals should be removed from the criminal codes of all jurisdictions in Australia.