Australian foreign aid still rules out abortion

Posted by Jenni Colwill on 25 January 2009 | 2 Comments

Barack Obama has stolen the march on the Australian government, and removed the prohibition on US aid for international family planning groups that promote or provide information, counselling or referrals about abortion services. A similar discriminatory policy was John Howard's contribution to Australia's foreign aid in 1996.

Last year, with encouragement from a cross-parliamentary committee the Labor government nearly considered lifting the ban on Australian aid, but with typical decisiveness and clear-mindedness, the matter was referred to a government committee for resolution.

Just to demonstrate how stupid our policy is, it applies even in countries where abortion is legal. So if a pregnant woman wants a legally available abortion, the health clinics can't help her at risk of losing funding they receive from Australia.

However, she can receive Australian aid funded assistance if she has had an unsafe abortion. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. No, I didn't think so either.

This policy contradicts the World Health Organistion's reproductive health guidelines, and also contradicts an international commitment Australia has signed up to that says 'in circumstances where abortion is not against the law, health systems should train and equip health service providers and should take other measures to ensure that abortion is safe and accessible'.

Barack Obama, unlike our Prime Minister, seems to have his own opinions and the courage to pursue them.

Now Australia is the only country in the world that imposes this harsh restriction on its overseas aid funding. How embarrassing.