A Brief History of Abortion Laws in New Zealand
Abortion Laws: Why we need a change
Having an Abortion in New Zealand
Illegal Abortions in New Zealand - a History Project
International Perspective - abortion in other countries
HISTORY OF ALRANZ
During 1970 the anti-abortion campaign became organised in New Zealand with the formation of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) at a public meeting in Auckland in March 1970, with high profile medical professional Professor (later Sir) William Liley as the first National President. This campaign invoked a reaction, with some people questioning the veracity of SPUC's claims, particularly with regard to the medical consequences of abortion and the experience of overseas countries with liberal laws. They also saw clearly the suffering of unhappily pregnant women seeking abortion under New Zealand laws and practice at that time and were concerned for the need for children to be born to mothers who wanted them. This was in contrast to public meetings organised by SPUC which focused on the fetus and the high profile work of Liley on fetal transfusions.
As a response to the SPUC campaign a group of approximately 60 concerned individuals met in Auckland on 4 August 1970 under the chairmanship of Mr Wayne Facer, an Auckland University administrator, who became the first research officer for ALRANZ. The meeting decided to from a steering committee charged with drafting aims and objectives.
The steering committee then reported to a meeting held in the Uniatian Church, Ponsonby Road on 15 September 1970. That meeting endorsed the draft aims and a constitution was prepared so that the Association would become an Incorporated Society.
ALRANZ The Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand was incorporated on 11 February 1971. The original stated objects were:
(1) To seek the reform of the present law in New Zealand so that a woman may choose whether to continue an unwanted pregnancy or to obtain its termination, subject to the following safeguards:
(a) Every abortion must be carried out by a registered medical practitioner with his consent in a public hospital or other approved place.
(b) Every effort must be made to ensure that abortions are carried out by the 12th week of pregnancy.
(c) Counselling should be available before the woman makes her decision and contraceptive advice must be given to avoid further unwanted pregnancies.
(2) To promote social reforms and to advocate legislation to reduce the numbers of unwanted pregnancies and the many social problems which ensue; for example:
(a) The extension of education in human relationships to all sections of society, particularly schools, where social, ethical and physical aspects of sex should be taught.
(b) The provision of government subsidies for organisations giving contraceptive advice, with general expansion of birth control facilities.
(c) Making all prescribed contraceptives freely available on social security.
(d) Making sterilistion available on social security for men and women who choose this form of birth control.
(3) To seek redress of wrongs or social injustice which any person or persons may from time to time suffer and to render legal assistance to that end and to bring to the notice of the Government of New Zealand or any other authority whether domestic or foreign such matters as in the opinion of the Association require attention or alteration.
The first AGM was held on 17 March 1971 (St Patrick's Day) in the Ellen Melville Hall, also known as the Pioneer Women's Memorial Hall. Mrs Isabel Stanton, Auckland social worker, was elected National President. Others elected were:
Vice-Presidents: Frank Haigh (lawyer, Auckland), Dr DWC Dove (GP Auckland), Dr Muriel Blackburn (child psychiatrist, Hamilton) and Dr B Mann (teacher, Christchurch)
Secretary Anna Watson
Treasurer Barry Littlewood
Committee: Jill Barraclough, Ray Carr, Wayne Facer and Lawrence Southon.
Membership of ALRANZ was not confined to any particular ethical position and strict adherence by all members to the widest implications of the objects ws not presumed, as it was recognised that individual member's attitudes might vary in the extent of the reform sought.
ALRANZ described the organization as "pro-choice" rather than "pro-abortion". A priority was to support initiatives and reforms leading to the prevention of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.
ALRANZ obtained support from a number of leading figures in the medical profession and in the wider community. In 1975 Lady Patricia Harris QSM became the patron and remained in that role until her death in February 2003 at the age of 92 years. Dr Margaret Sparrow became National President from 1975-1980. From 1980-1984 Alistair Aitken, Auckland teacher, was National President and since then Dr Margaret Sparrow has resumed that role.
A list of the Advisory Council 1975
Dr Ross Blue, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Auckland
Dr DP Boshier, Associate Professor Reproductive Biology, University of Auckland
Prof RB Elliott, Head of Dept Paediatrics, University of Auckland
Dr JPB Fitzgerald, O&G Dept, University of Otago
Rev Prof LG Geering, Professor of Religious Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
Prof RAM Gregson, Professor of Psychology, University of Canterbury
Dr VJ Hartfield, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Wanganui Hospital
Prof JI Hubbard, Professor of Neurophysiology, University of Otago
Prof B James, Chairman Dept Psychological Medicine, University of Otago
Prof JR McCreary, Professor of Social Work, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr RD MacDiarmid, General Practitioner, Dunedin
Rev Dr FWR Nichol, Professor of Theology, Knox College, Dunedin
Prof JE Ritchie, Professor of Psychology, University of Waikato
Prof JL Roberts, Professor School of Political Science, Victoria University of Wellington
Prof JL Ryan, Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury
Prof HH Schaefer, Professor of Psychology, University of Auckland
Prof JD Sinclair, Professor Dept of Physiology, University of Auckland
Prof AJW Taylor, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington
Prof AMO Veale, Professor of Human Genetics, University of Auckland
Prof PRH Webb, Professor School of Law, University of Auckland
Prof JS Werry, Professor Dept of Psychiatry, University of Auckland
A list of Vice Presidents 1975
Dr Muriel Blackburn, Child Psychiatrist, Auckland
Dr DWC Dove, Family Physician, Auckland
Dr AJ Fitchett, General Pratitioner, Dunedin
Rev Don Glenny, Methodist Minister, Auckland
Dr BB Grimmond, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin
Mr Frank H Haigh, Barrister & Solicitor, Auckland
Sir Edmund Hillary, Mountaineer, Auckland
Rev R Lane, Presbyterian Minister, Hamilton
Mr John A Lee, Author, Auckland
Dr EB Lind, Psychiatrist, Ashburn Hall, Dunedin
Dr B Mann, Teacher, Christchurch
Dr TD Medlicott, General Practitioner, Dunedin
Dr RC Muir, Psychiatrist, Wakari Hospital, Dunedin
Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson, Mayor, Auckland
Prof PA Smithells, Professor School of Physical Education, University of Otago
Mrs Isabel Stanton, Social worker, Auckland
Mrs Nancy Sutherland, City Councillor, Christchurch
Early activities of ALRANZ included:
1972 ALRANZ commissioned a public opinion poll by the National Research Bureau in January.
1973 The first national conference was held in Wellington in July. It was agreed that ALRANZ support the Supreme Court decision from the USA, Roe v. Wade as the basis for policy.A feminist and more radical extension of ALRANZ became WONAAC, the Woman's National Abortion Action Campaign.
Posters and badges were created to publicise the need for law reform:
1974 ALRANZ commissioned a second public opinion poll in March by the National Research Bureau. ALRANZ supported the opening of the Auckland Medical Aid Centre in May 1974 and opposed the introduction of the Hospitals Amendment Bill (the Wall Bill) intending to restrict abortions to public hopitals.
1975 ALRANZ and WONAAC joined forces to support the Committee to Oppose the Hospital Amendment Bill 1975 (COHAB). Due to a drafting error the Act that was passed became null and void. ALRANZ supported Dr Woolnough, on trial for abortions carried out at the Auckland Medical Aid Centre.
1976 ALRANZ opposed the Health Amendment Bill ( the Gill Bill) another attempt to restrict abortions to public hospitals.
ALRANZ's position in 1975 was summarised in a submission to the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion:
* ALRANZ supports a law change permitting abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy, the decision being that of the woman in consultation were her medical adviser.
* Beyond 12 weeks and up to the time of viability, between 20-24 weeks, regulations may be imposed, the primary concern being that of the mternal health and medical safety.
* Once the stage of viability has been reached, abortion may be carried out only in exceptional circumstances and to save to the life of the mother.
* Section 182 of the Crimes Act 1961 should be clarified while sections 183-187 should be completely revised in accordance with the above policy.
* The prevention of unwanted pregnancies is considered of paramount importance.
ALRANZ was critical of the Report of the Royal Commission published in March 1977 and the subsequent legislation, principally the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act which was passed in December 1977 and came into effect on 1 April 1978. This Act set up the system of certifying consultants to approve abortions under the supervision of the Abortion Supervisory Committee.
1983 ALRANZ lobbied parliamentarians at the time of two private member's Bills, one liberal (Marilyn Waring) and one restrictive (Doug Kid). Both Bills were defeated.
1989 ALRANZ supported Minister of Health Helen Clark in repealing the legislation relating to contraception and under 16 year olds but ALRANZ has always opposed the system of certifying consultants and did not support the changes proposed to the procedures for approving abortions. These were unsuccessful with opposition from both liberal and conservative groups.
1990s In the 1990s there were no legislative changes. Activity centred mainly on protest action at various clinics, networking with other organisations and responding to social issues. ALRANZ also liases with similar organisations in Australia, Britain, Canada and the USA.
Writing submissions has been an important undertaking e.g. responding to legislative changes that may impact on abortion care, contributing to the response to CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) and complaining to the Ministry of Health about the abortion booklet "Considering an abortion: what are your options?".
2002 ALRANZ made a formal complaint to the Advertising Standards Complaints Board regarding a misleding advertisement by SPUC about abortion and breast cancer and was successful in having the complaint upheld. To read the decision (02/383) and the two unsuccessful appeals by SPUC click here. There is no established link between having an abortion and developing breast cancer.
2003 ALRANZ wrote to the Ministry of Health about a misleading claim of accreditation on the website of Pregnancy Counselling Services and was successful in having this changed.
2004 ALRANZ lobbied parliamentarians in the Care of Children Bill when an unsuccessful attempt was made, to make it compulsory for parents to be notified when an under 16 year old was seeking abortion.
2005 ALRANZ conducted a workshop at the Janus Women's Convention "Looking Back, Moving Forward" June Queen's Birthday weekend, Wellington Town Hall. The history project was launched seeking abortion stories from before July 1978.
2006 ALRANZ had a display stand at the 4th Abortion Providers Conference held in Wellington from 31 March - 1 April 2006.
On 4 December ALRANZ presented a submission to the Parliamentarians' Group on Population and Development which held an open hearing on Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health.
2007 ALRANZ made a formal complaint to the Advertising Standards Complaints Board about a misleading advertisement claiming there was a link between breast cancer and abortion, by Voice for Life, published in a supplement to the Sunday Star Times on 7 January 2007. The complaint was upheld.
ALRANZ Made a submission to the National Screening Unit on antenatal Down Syndrome screening.
ALRANZ made a submission to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) on the discussion paper on assisted reproductive technology.
2008 ALRANZ had a display stand at the 5th Abortion Providers Conference held in Auckland from March 28-29 2008.
Responding to media requests for an opinion on abortion related issues is ongoing and this has included television, radio, newspaper and magazine interviews.