COMMENT:
Abortion is one of those subjects on which a wise man speaks out about the right of a woman to make the choice that is best for her. Abortion is one of those subjects where a wise man recognises that the specialist knowledge of health providers should inform the framework through which abortion services are provided. Abortion is one of those subjects on which a wise man thinks that a modern legal framework will deliver a better and more women-focused service.
Sadly, John Roughan has taken the power of his platform and used it to present an ill-informed personal opinion rather than the real-life experiences of people faced with an unintended pregnancy (NZ Herald, July 15).
So much is wrong in so few words, but we would like the opportunity to respond directly to some of the more egregious comments he made.
"New Zealand had its abortion debate in the 1970s." Does Mr Roughan think that a debate 40 years ago is sufficient? Are debates of the 60s and 70s considered to be the final word on their issues? Does he recall that at the time the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act was passed, Parliament had four women MPs – all of whom voted against the legislation. What is he suggesting – that we should tell women that they had their chance for change in the 1970s – sorry about that? We've advanced the cause of gay marriage and implemented homosexual law reform, yet the issue of abortion, it seems, is one Mr Roughan would have us discuss only in delicate language and only to the extent necessary. This seems, in his world view, not to require any change.