ASC Fails to Consult Pro-Life Organisations Concerning the Document “Standards of Care for Women Seeking an Abortion in New Zealand”

Letter to  Secretary ASC

Dear Sir,

Your Committee reports in its report to Parliament that it consulted widely in drafting the above document and received submissions from 25 organisations and persons. It is noted with concern that there no organisations or members of the pro-life movement are listed as having made a submission on the document. It is assumed that none were invited to make a submission.

Right to Life is disappointed that our Society was not invited to make a submission on this important document. Our Society together with other pro-life organisations is deeply concerned about the care of women seeking an abortion in New Zealand. We believe that Family Life International, Post Abortion Trauma Healing Services and Voice for Life could have made a positive contribution and should have been invited by your Committee to make a submission to the draft document.

It is mentioned that these organisations have had many years experience in providing care to women seeking an abortion and in providing post abortion counselling. These organisations have the support of many thousands of members in New Zealand including many doctors

Our Society wishes to ask why none of these organisations or pro-life doctors was invited by your Committee to make a submission on the draft document?

Right to Life requests that your Committee give consideration to inviting the above organisations to contribute to any future consultative process’s undertaken by your Committee.

It is noted that the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand [ALRANZ] were invited to make a submission on the document. It is mentioned that ALRANZ has limited support in the community reflected in their national membership of less than 200 members.

I wish to request under the Official Information Act copies of the submissions made on the draft document by the following organisations;

Abortion Law Reform Association.

Canterbury District Health Board.

Epsom Day Unit Social Workers.

Family Planning.

Janet Campbell, ASC Counselling Advisor.

Medical Council of New Zealand.

Ministry of Health.

Royal Australia New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Thank you for your assistance with this enquiry.

Yours sincerely

Ken Orr

Secretary