Secretary

Abortion Supervisory Committee,

Dear Ms Cole,

The Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee in its annual report for 2017 provided statistics on perinatal mortality resulting from abortion in 2016.

There were:- 20 – 22 weeks  87. 23 – 24 weeks 32. 25 -27 weeks 13. 28 – 31 weeks 14. 31 weeks – 2.

It is noted that your Committee’s annual report to Parliament does not provide this detailed information and only provides a total for over 20 weeks. What reason does the Committee have for withholding this important information from Parliament?

I wish to request that your committee consider including in its annual report the detailed abortion statistics provided by the Perinatal and Maternal Review Committee. 

In table 4.3 of the report the reasons provided by clinicians for post 20 week abortions are listed for the 148 abortions. The major reasons were:-

Congenital abnormality 109.

Maternal conditions 32.

Antepartum haemorrhage 10.

It is noted that it is unlawful under the Crimes Act to authorise an abortion after 20 weeks gestation on the grounds of fetal abnormality. The fact that congenital abnormality is given in the case of 109 abortions suggests that these abortions were unlawful and that these unborn children were deprived of their life unlawfully.

I would be grateful if you would advise me what action your Committee will now take to investigate the lawfulness of the 148 post 20 week abortions performed in 2016 and to ensure that all future post 20 week abortions conform to the requirements of the Crimes Act.

Yours sincerely,

Ken Orr

Secretary,

Right to Life.