Facts and
figures

Another Court hearing, more costs to taxpayers, and the case is still not resolved, Alranz president Dr. Margaret Sparrow said today.

The case, Right to Life New Zealand versus the Abortion Supervisory Committee, has already cost the government $279,850 and there will be more costs before it has run its course.

Today the draft declaration orders proposed by Right to Life New Zealand aimed at restricting access to abortions were dismissed by counsel for the Abortion Supervisory Committee as unnecessary. The Abortion Supervisory Committee has already made some changes but these were not sufficient according to Right to Life New Zealand.

Mr Justice Miller who heard the case doubted the value of these declaratory orders but has reserved his decision. Whether a final judgment is made or declaratory orders made it is very evident that the matter will return to the Appeal Court.

“It is time for Parliament to take responsibility and end this expensive legal fiasco” said Dr Sparrow.

Background on the Case:

Today's hearing in the High Court follows an Appeal Court ruling in May that the parties must seek declaratory orders. Right to Life has stated it may follow those orders with yet another appeal, including that embryos and fetuses should be persons under the law, a move that wouldn’t just end women’s access to safe abortions, but would have implications for IVF, stem-cell research and contraceptive methods like IUDs, emergency contraception and possibly even the pill.

A TIMELINE OF THE CASE is at www.alranz.org

Dr Margaret Sparrow, Alranz National President: 04 475-9886 or 021 263-5050 msparrow@value.net.nz

Dr Jim Hefford, National Executive, Alranz; retired GP, former Certifying Consultant: 04 934-3739 jimhefford@paradise.net.nz