NATIONAL NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2005

New Website

Welcome to the website newsletter. We welcome feedback on how this can be improved and made more useful for members. It has been designed so that it can be easily updated on a regular basis. A mailout with notices, subscription reminders and a copy of the newsletter will still be posted. However there will be a space on the new membership form for an email address for members who would prefer to receive their newsletter by email. The newsletters will now be produced quarterly in February, May, August and November. Contributions are welcome.

It is not necessary for the ALRANZ website to provide details of abortion services in New Zealand because another new website has recently been developed giving this information. It can be found at www.abortion.gen.nz

ALRANZ welcomes Zoë Anderson co-opted on to the national committee as publicity officer. Zoë works professionally as a communications advisor and has been a member of ALRANZ for some time.

ALRANZ congratulates national committee member Inna Grbich on the award of QSM for community service, in the New Year Honours.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are now due for the year January to December 2005 and should be sent to the Treasurer, Box 28-008, Wellington. At its last meeting the committee voted not to increase the subscription but to keep it at a low level to maximise membership. The treasurer reported a high level of donations for which ALRANZ is extremely grateful.

Women’s Convention

It is now 30 years since the United Nations International Women’s Year and the second United Women’s Convention held in the Winter Show Buildings Wellington on a wet wintry weekend 14-15 June 1975. (The first convention was held in Auckland in 1973). To mark the anniversary some of those involved in the convention of 1975 have formed the Janus Women’s Convention Trust to look at what has happened to women’s issues in the last 30 years, to learn from the past and to look to the future. For further information write to Janus Trust NZ, PO Box 12 271, Wellington or email:  admin.janus@xtra.co.nz 

A convention will be held in Wellington over Queen’s Birthday weekend 3-6 June 2005 and ALRANZ is convening a workshop on abortion. We hope that members will support this by enrolling in the workshop. We will be outlining the changes that have occurred since 1975 but the main focus will be on the present and what needs to be done to improve choices for women in the future. To visit the new convention website click www.womensconvention.telecom.co.nz

In 1975 the choices for women were extremely limited. The first private clinic, the Auckland Medical Aid Centre had been open for just over a year. The police had raided the clinic for files in September 1974 and the operating doctor Dr Jim Woolnough was charged with procuring 12 unlawful abortions. The outcome would not be known for some time. The first trial under Mr Justice Speight resulted in a hung jury (21 August 1975). The second trial under Mr Justice Chilwell resulted in acquittal (27 November 1975). The Court of Appeal later upheld the not guilty verdict. Dr Woolnough held an honest belief that there was a danger to the physical or mental health of the 12 women.

Due to intense public debate a Royal Commission of Inquiry on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion was established by the Labour Government under Prime Minister Rowling. The six member commission under Mr Justice McMullin was appointed soon after the Convention in June 1975.

In 1975 ALRANZ and WONAAC jointly convened the workshop entitled ‘Abortion as a woman’s choice’ with Jan Clark and Jacqueline McCluggage as co-convenors. Arising out of the workshop were six recommendations:

1. That this workshop support the establishment and registration of low-cost, non-profit-making, day patient clinics of high professional standard.

2. That abortion counselling facilities be extended to public hospitals.

3. That the provision of contraceptive information be regarded as a vitally necessary part of abortion counselling.

4. That abortion counsellors recognise a woman’s right, once she possesses all the relevant information, to reach her own    decision and help her to accept responsibility for it.

5. That in any future convention at which issues with polarised viewpoints are to be discussed, an adequate number of separate workshops be organised and clearly defined at the time of registration.

6. That the Convention support the National Tribunal on Crimes against Women to be held on 20 September 1975 to commemorate the winning of women’s suffrage.

Much has happened since 1975. The Royal Commission deliberated for 21 months and in December 1977 Parliament passed laws to control abortions. The grounds for abortion were changed by amending the Crimes Act and a whole set of new procedures were introduced in the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977. Overseeing everything was a new body, the Abortion Supervisory Committee. The new laws were unworkable and the ASC recommended changes which were enacted in July 1978. The present abortion laws have not been substantially altered since then. Our workshop will focus on what needs to change.

History project

In the last newsletter we mentioned the favourable overseas reviews of “Vera Drake” Those who have already seen the film can thoroughly recommend it. Internationally it continues to gain awards. At the recent BAFTA awards (January 2005) Mike Leigh won best director and Imelda Staunton best actress. It is the story of a working class abortionist “helping out” girls who have “got themselves into trouble” in London in the 1950s. For the younger generation it is a realistic glimpse of how things used to be and for all of us, a salutary reminder of why we must strive to preserve safe medical services for women.

“Vera Drake” is a UK story but there are many untold New Zealand stories, and ALRANZ would like to collect them. Until the 1970s abortion stories were mainly hidden. From time to time the story of an illegal abortion would receive publicity but mostly abortions were clandestine events. They had to be, because abortion was regarded as a crime, unless carried out to save the life of the mother. Both the abortionist and the woman could be prosecuted. Self abortion was also a crime.

Since 1978 illegal abortion has been rare in New Zealand and the travel to Australia (for those who could afford a legal abortion in Melbourne or Sydney) also diminished.

Preserving our history is important. It is important that these stories prior to 1978 are told, so that we understand what previous generations endured.

Some common reactions are:

“But mine is just an ordinary story.”

“There were others worse off than me.”

“It’s a thing of the past. Who would be interested?”

ALRANZ is very interested in all the stories of women having abortions before 1978. For younger members, perhaps you have a grandmother or an elderly relative and could ask her what it was like in her day. Perhaps you are a nurse who remembers the septic abortions that needed hospital treatment. Perhaps you were involved with someone having to travel to Australia in less than ideal circumstances.

Perhaps you became involved in ALRANZ because of a personal experience or something that happened to a close friend or relative.

How can you contribute?

You can write to us at Box 28-008, Wellington.

You can email us at msparrow@value.net.nz

Not everyone finds it easy to write about these things so if it is easier for you to talk about it, a trained interviewer is available to record your story.

The co-ordinators of the project are historian Beryl Hughes and National President Dr Margaret Sparrow.

Confidentiality will be respected. Some may be happy to use their name but others may like to use first name only or use a fictitious name. Your identity will be protected according to your wishes.

Illegal abortions

Illegal abortions are now rare but not eliminated. In December 2004 we were reminded of this. In their last report to parliament the Abortion Supervisory Committee mentioned two categories of illegal abortion that had been brought to their attention; firstly, the illegal importation of abortifacient drugs such as prostaglandin and secondly, medical practitioners failing to comply with the provisions of the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act e.g. performing an abortion in an unlicensed hospital.

Another illegal activity that came to light was the importation of mifepristone. The high rate of abortion in Asian women means that many are accessing local services but obviously not all. One young woman who had taken imported mifepristone without medical supervision needed urgent hospital treatment after she began haemorrhaging. Mifepristone is readily available in China and some may find it easier and less embarrassing to obtain this, than report to a doctor in unfamiliar surroundings. The above case highlights the importance of having medical supervision. Do-it-yourself abortions are not a safe option.

Politics

On 2 December 2004 Parliament passed the second reading of the Civil Union Bill and a week later it was finally passed 65-55. Minister in charge of the Bill was David Benson-Pope who earlier had taken responsibility for the Care of Children Bill. A civil union is an alternative to marriage that allows heterosexual and same-sex couples to formally register their relationship. Still to be passed is the companion Relationships (Statutory References) Bill which will change other legislation making civil unions and de facto relationships the same as marriage.

Those voting for the Civil Union Bill were: Anderton, Barker, Barnett, Benson-Pope, Beyer, Bradford, Burton, Chris Carter, Chadwick, Choudhary, Clark, Coddington, Cullen, Cunliffe, Dalziel, Donald, Donnelly, Duncan, Dyson, Ewen-Street, Fairbrother, Fitzsimons, Gallagher, Goff, Gosche, Hartley, Hawkins, Hereora, Hide, Hobbs, Hodgson, Horomia, Hughes, Hunt, Kedgley, King, Laban, Locke, Janet Mackey, Moana Mackey, Maharey, Mahuta, Mallard, Okeroa, Parker, Peck, Pettis, Pillay, Prebble, Rich, Ririnui, Robson, Roy, Samuels, Shirley, Simich, Sutton, Swain, Tanczos, Tizard, Turei, Ward, Wilson, Wong, Yates.

Those voting against the Civil Union Bill were: Adams, Alexander, Ardern, Baldock, Brash, Brown, Brownlee, David Carter, John Carter, Catchpole, Collins, Connell, Copeland, Cosgrove, Dunne, Duynhoven, Eckhoff, English, Field, Franks, Goudie, Gudgeon, Heatley, Hutchison, Jones, Key, Mapp, Mark,McCully, McNair, Newman, O’Connor, Ogilvy, Paraone, Perry, Jim Peters, Winston Peters, Powers, Robertson, Ryall, Scott, Lockwood Smith, Murray Smith, Nick Smith, Sowry, Stewart, Tamihere, te Heuheu, Tisch, Turia, Turner, Wang, Williamson, Woolerton, Worth.

As with the Care of Children Bill, although it was a ‘conscience’ vote there was a strong vote along party lines. Although unrelated, the voting patterns were similar for the two social issues of abortion and civil unions.

Labour Party: All voted for the Bill except for Cosgrove, Duynhoven, Field, O’Connor, Robertson, Tamihere

National Party: All voted against the Bill except for Rich, Simich, Wong

NZ First: All voted against the Bill except Donnelly

Greens: All voted for the Bill, no exceptions

United Future: All voted against the Bill, no exceptions

ACT: The only party with an even spread for and against. Those voting for the Bill: Coddington (after voting against in the 1st and 2nd readings, she switched), Hide, Prebble, Roy, Shirley. Those voting against the Bill: Newman, Eckhoff, Franks and newcomer Wang

Progressive: Both Anderton and Robson voted for the Bill

Maori Party: Turia voted against the Bill

With a general election taking place later this year abortion will not be on the agenda for parliamentarians even though the Care of Children Bill was passed with a substantial majority. In her statement to parliament on February 1 2005 Prime Minister Helen Clark outlined her vision for the future. This includes a greater participation in the workforce by women but this goal will not be achieved without good policies for reproductive health care.

Changes in Parliament

On 22 November 2005 List party member, Kenneth Wang was confirmed as the new member for ACT following the expulsion of Donna Awatere Huata from parliament.

ALRANZ says farewell to Jonathan Hunt and wishes him well in his new role as High Commissioner in London and ambassador to Ireland. A Cabinet reshuffle has seen minor changes to the Health and Justice portfolios. Phil Goff remains Minister of Justice with Associate Ministers Marian Hobbs, Rick Barker and David Benson-Pope. Annette King remains Minister of Health with Associate Ministers Jim Anderton and Pete Hodgson. Ruth Dyson remains Minister of Women’s Affairs.

Mifepristone update

In November 2004 the FDA in the USA announced new safety warnings to be included in the information for abortion providers following the third death in the USA associated with Mifeprex® (mifepristone). It is unclear whether the deaths are directly attributed to the pill as life threatening bacterial infections can occur after surgical terminations as well. As a precaution The Ministry of Health in New Zealand has requested that the new warnings be included in the information for abortion providers in New Zealand.

Overseas news

The December 2004 edition of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has an article on access to safe abortion services, publicising recent reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which emphasise the extent of the problem worldwide. WHO estimates that of the 46 million pregnancies terminated each year, 20 million are unsafe, most of these in the developing world.

Australia

In November 2004 Health Minister Tony Abbott spoke out about what he terms Australia’s epidemic of abortions. A Catholic, he called for Catholic Church leaders to mobilise. His parliamentary health secretary Christopher Pyne, also a Catholic, called for a debate to ban late-term abortions. These pronouncements renewed the national debate about abortion and other issues were raised such as mandatory counselling, the viewing of ultrasound images by women seeking abortion and the removal of the Medicare rebate for abortion. Each State in Australia regulates abortions but the Federal Government pays for abortions through Medicare. Liberal MPs have responded and Prime Minister Howard, elected for a 4th term in November 2004, rejected the call for an inquiry. Political commentators have pointed to the fact that there is a growing religious right in Australian politics, and as in the USA, religiously committed politicians have become more outspoken about their faith.

USA

Shaken by its loss on “moral values” in last year’s election, the Democratic party is rethinking its approach to abortion rights. Two leading candidates for leadership of the Democratic National Committee, Tim Roemer and Howard Dean, have called on the party to embrace opponents of abortion. Even the staunchly pro-choice Hillary Clinton talked about seeking common ground. The very idea of a rethink has outraged pro-choice activists and there has also been disquiet over the possibility of the Campaign Committee considering antiabortion candidates for the Senate in 2006.

Both sides of the abortion debate marched in demonstrations throughout the USA to mark the 32nd anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision delivered on 23 Jan 1973. The anniversary came amid speculation that retirements on the Supreme Court bench could alter the long standing defence of the Roe v. Wade decision. Norma McCorvey whose protest against the abortion ban in Texas led to the 1973 ruling, now regrets her role in the case. In January 2005 she petitioned that the case should be heard again in light of new evidence.

Kenya

A prominent Kenyan obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr John Nyamu was arrested in May 2004 and awaits trial. He is charged with murder and unlawfully killing two fetuses found in rubbish bags near a Nairobi housing estate. Two nurses are also charged. The medical profession is divided over these events. Supporters criticised the decision to charge the doctor with murder which carries the death penalty, rather than procuring abortions which carries a 14 year jail term. The law in Kenya is restrictive, allowing the termination of a pregnancy only when a woman’s life is in danger. A recent report estimated that up to 800 unsafe abortions are performed every day in Kenya leading to an average of 2600 deaths each year. Although some MPs have called for liberalisation the Health Minister and the President oppose reform of the abortion law.

Canada

The Morgentaler lawsuit against the Province of New Brunswick continues. Dr Henry Morgentaler is suing the province for refusing to fund his private clinic in Fredericton. One of the key issues to emerge in a December 2004 hearing is that in Canada there is no constitutional right to abortion as there is in the USA.

France

According to a government report the abortion rate in France has remained nearly constant over the last 15 years at about 14 abortions per 1000 women. However 30 years after legalisation, family planning providers find that there are still many obstacles to women seeking abortion and there has been a reduction in services increasing waiting times.

China

China is to be tougher on those who flout  the law banning selective abortion of female fetuses. The imbalance in the ratio of boys to girls has grown since the one-child policy was introduced more than 20 years ago. Government figures now show a ratio of 119 boys to 100 girls. New technology such as scanning has made it easier to know a baby’s gender. However abortion is not the only reason for the imbalance. Girls are often not cared for as well as boys resulting in a higher infant death rates for girls.

India

As in China, India reports an imbalance in the sex ratio despite laws banning sex selective abortions and female infanticide. The ratio there is now estimated to be 108 boys under 6 years to 100 girls. Observers say that the trend will not change until women are empowered and traditional attitudes fade.

Japan

Mazda Motor Company in Japan performs abortions in its company facilities at Mazda hospital. Anti-abortionists there are calling for a boycott on Ford and Mazda products but in a country where there is a high level of acceptance of abortion (and vehicles), this seems a strange target.