Zoe’s Law bill at risk

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 9 Mar 2014.

In November, the NSW Legislative Assembly passed the Crimes Amendment (Zoe’s Law) Bill 2013 and the bill is now before the Legislative Council. The purpose of the bill is to amend the Crimes Act to extend certain offences of grievous bodily harm to the unlawful destruction of or harm to a foetus over 20 weeks gestation, separate from the existing grievous bodily harm to the pregnant mother.

The bill rules out any potential for the erosion of women’s reproductive rights, but opponents of the bill are trying to turn the debate into a de facto abortion debate.

Legislative Council member the Honourable Greg Donnelly says this tactic is dishonest and misleading. The bill is not about abortion or a challenge to a woman’s right to choose. It is about seeking justice in relation to grievous bodily harm to an unborn child such as through a traffic accident. The bill deserves our strong support.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.