Still No Ban for Sex-Selection

It is hard to believe that it took two attempts before the New South Wales Parliament would pass measures to stop sex-selection abortions – but that is what they have done.

The first resolution was to take strong action to ban this abortion right up until birth bill being used for sex-selection. The MPs had to be dragged kicking and screaming into voting for another resolution which watered down the original – not a ban but at least the Parliament has said it is against sex selection abortion – even if it put in no safeguards against it.

There were standouts – MP’s like Tanya Davies, Kevin Donnelly and Damian Tudehope who are to be commended for standing up, particularly on that issue of sex-selection. Of course, sex-selection would be primarily aimed at girls so for some of the proponents of the bill to claim it empowers women looks hollow.

I’m Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches.