With the NSW state election just around corner, WEL and the F Collective canvassed candidates from key electorates for their views on Abortion Law Reform, in our efforts to build a campaign towards decriminalising abortion.
Abortion remains under the criminal code in NSW under the Crimes Act 1900 (Division 12), meaning women are still denied autonomy over their own bodies and reproductive choices in NSW. Currently, a woman can only legally procure an abortion if her doctor believes that it is necessary to protect her from serious danger to her life or her physical or mental health. Even so, a woman, her partner and doctor can risk prosecution in NSW under the Crimes Act.
Candidates were asked to respond to the question posed below. Click here to access out interactive map and find out how your candidates fared.
As any change to the criminal status of Abortions in NSW, is likely to be a conscience vote for most members of parliament, please indicate how you would vote should a bill be put forward proposing the removal of abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900:
In the instance of such a conscience vote, I would vote in favour of removing abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900
In the instance of a such conscience vote, I would against removing abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900
I am unwilling to disclose how I would vote in the instance of a conscience vote regarding the removal of abortion from the NSW Crimes Act 1900
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
F calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW
In NSW Abortion remains under the Crimes Act 1900. A woman can only legally procure an abortion if her doctor believes that an abortion is necessary to protect her from serious danger to her life or her physical or mental health; though NSW case law allows for doctors to consider economic and social reasons along with medical grounds. Under these outdated laws a women can face criminal charges for procuring an abortion, that can carry a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. Her partner and her doctor can also face criminal charges.
Any change to the criminal status of Abortions in NSW, is likely to be a conscience vote; where members of parliament vote in accordance with their own conscience rather than voting in line with their party's policy. In the lead up to the State Election, F is canvasing how candidates in select marginal electorates would vote in the instance of such a conscience vote. We will keep you informed regarding the results.
Any change to the criminal status of Abortions in NSW, is likely to be a conscience vote; where members of parliament vote in accordance with their own conscience rather than voting in line with their party's policy. In the lead up to the State Election, F is canvasing how candidates in select marginal electorates would vote in the instance of such a conscience vote. We will keep you informed regarding the results.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Equal Pay: Big Changes NOT Small Change!
On the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, march together for equal pay.
At 12pm on the 12th of March 2011, meet at Town Hall in Sydney City.
Why Equal Pay?
Right now, community workers, 90 per cent of whom are women, have a case before Fair Work Australia to increase their pay. Community workers pay has always been low because it is a female-dominated profession. A person working in a male dominated industry such as a greenskeeper earns more than someone working in a female-dominated industry such as a youth suicide prevention worker. This is not because the work that men do is harder, or because it contributes more to society. These low wages that women receive are due to the undervaluation of the work that women have done and continue to do.
Who has the power to decide the case?
The Federal Government – Julia Gillard and co – have the power to support the case or not. The Government initially supported the case going to Fair Work Australia, but now their submission to the case says they cannot afford to fund it. PM Gillard holds the purse strings, so let’s send her a message! The NSW Government also have a say over funding. So, the Commissioners of Fair Work Australia decide, but in the end, it is Government that has to say YES! to equal pay.
What Anniversary?
1911 was the first time IWD was celebrated internationally. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. It was also the year of a the Lawrence Strike, a textile workers strike in the USA. More than 20 000 workers went on strike in response to wage cuts, many were arrested and jailed and several were killed. This is sometimes called the Bread and Roses strike.
100 years on, women are still fighting for decent pay and equal rights!
Join the march to Circular Quay for Equal Pay, and celebrate 100 years of the Women’s Movement!
At 12pm on the 12th of March 2011, meet at Town Hall in Sydney City.
Why Equal Pay?
Right now, community workers, 90 per cent of whom are women, have a case before Fair Work Australia to increase their pay. Community workers pay has always been low because it is a female-dominated profession. A person working in a male dominated industry such as a greenskeeper earns more than someone working in a female-dominated industry such as a youth suicide prevention worker. This is not because the work that men do is harder, or because it contributes more to society. These low wages that women receive are due to the undervaluation of the work that women have done and continue to do.
Who has the power to decide the case?
The Federal Government – Julia Gillard and co – have the power to support the case or not. The Government initially supported the case going to Fair Work Australia, but now their submission to the case says they cannot afford to fund it. PM Gillard holds the purse strings, so let’s send her a message! The NSW Government also have a say over funding. So, the Commissioners of Fair Work Australia decide, but in the end, it is Government that has to say YES! to equal pay.
What Anniversary?
1911 was the first time IWD was celebrated internationally. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. It was also the year of a the Lawrence Strike, a textile workers strike in the USA. More than 20 000 workers went on strike in response to wage cuts, many were arrested and jailed and several were killed. This is sometimes called the Bread and Roses strike.
100 years on, women are still fighting for decent pay and equal rights!
Join the march to Circular Quay for Equal Pay, and celebrate 100 years of the Women’s Movement!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Some wonderful feedback from the Hon. (and wonderful) Penny Sharpe
NSW Legislative Assembly
12 May 2010
SYDNEY FEMINIST CONFERENCE
The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [11.43 p.m.]:
Over the weekend of 10 and 11 April I was fortunate to attend the first feminist conference held in Sydney for more than 10 years. At the conference I was able to participate with more than 500 women and a small contingent of men who seek ways to give women in our community a fair deal. It was an impressive conference, with women attendees ranging in ages from teens up to some in their eighties.
The conference was organised by a diverse collective of women who wanted to bring women together to discuss how we can enliven and ignite the feminist movement in Sydney. Each of the organisers was an activist and representative from various organisations, including the Women's Electoral Lobby New South Wales, Amnesty International, the Feminist Bookshop, ACON, the Sydney University Students Representative Council and the Australian Services Union.
Over the two-day conference panels discussed and examined a range of issues including: What can feminism learn from indigenous women's knowledge? Why is feminism relevant for all of us? The sharing of power—why aren't we there yet? What sort of future can we create from this conference? There were over 50 workshops on issues such as women and education, mothering and maternal activism, sexism and sexuality in the media, feminist perspectives on pornography, women and poverty, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, women in prison, women and disability and about 40 more topics.
Some people have suggested that we are living in a post-feminist world and that feminism is no longer necessary. While ever women make up the majority of the world's poor, live their lives in fear of violence, continue to suffer from discrimination in accessing education, housing and other basic human rights, feminism is necessary. The conference was a shot in the arm for the many women across this State who work every day to improve women's lives. Anne Summers said at one of the conference sessions that feminism is alive and well. At this time there have never been more men and women who are prepared to call themselves feminists. We should work with and act on that concept.
At a personal level, it was a privilege to gather with so many intelligent, passionate and committed women. The conference was truly inclusive and did not shy away from controversy. There was not any one form of feminism. No one had to have one particular way of representing feminism. There was respect for and inclusion of all points of view, based on the basic value that all women should be treated equally.
I want to place on record tonight my appreciation for the hard work that was done by a voluntary collective. These events usually run on the smell of an oily rag. I thank those who organised the conference: Jane Cullen, Rosa Campbell, Eva Cox, Melanie Fernandez, Gail Hewison, Helen and Celia Hurwitz, Jessica Ison, Gabe Kavanagh, Simone Morrissey, Claire Nemorin, Jenna Price and Tania Safi. Their work is just the beginning.
I look forward to their future efforts on behalf of women in New South Wales.
12 May 2010
SYDNEY FEMINIST CONFERENCE
The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [11.43 p.m.]:
Over the weekend of 10 and 11 April I was fortunate to attend the first feminist conference held in Sydney for more than 10 years. At the conference I was able to participate with more than 500 women and a small contingent of men who seek ways to give women in our community a fair deal. It was an impressive conference, with women attendees ranging in ages from teens up to some in their eighties.
The conference was organised by a diverse collective of women who wanted to bring women together to discuss how we can enliven and ignite the feminist movement in Sydney. Each of the organisers was an activist and representative from various organisations, including the Women's Electoral Lobby New South Wales, Amnesty International, the Feminist Bookshop, ACON, the Sydney University Students Representative Council and the Australian Services Union.
Over the two-day conference panels discussed and examined a range of issues including: What can feminism learn from indigenous women's knowledge? Why is feminism relevant for all of us? The sharing of power—why aren't we there yet? What sort of future can we create from this conference? There were over 50 workshops on issues such as women and education, mothering and maternal activism, sexism and sexuality in the media, feminist perspectives on pornography, women and poverty, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, women in prison, women and disability and about 40 more topics.
Some people have suggested that we are living in a post-feminist world and that feminism is no longer necessary. While ever women make up the majority of the world's poor, live their lives in fear of violence, continue to suffer from discrimination in accessing education, housing and other basic human rights, feminism is necessary. The conference was a shot in the arm for the many women across this State who work every day to improve women's lives. Anne Summers said at one of the conference sessions that feminism is alive and well. At this time there have never been more men and women who are prepared to call themselves feminists. We should work with and act on that concept.
At a personal level, it was a privilege to gather with so many intelligent, passionate and committed women. The conference was truly inclusive and did not shy away from controversy. There was not any one form of feminism. No one had to have one particular way of representing feminism. There was respect for and inclusion of all points of view, based on the basic value that all women should be treated equally.
I want to place on record tonight my appreciation for the hard work that was done by a voluntary collective. These events usually run on the smell of an oily rag. I thank those who organised the conference: Jane Cullen, Rosa Campbell, Eva Cox, Melanie Fernandez, Gail Hewison, Helen and Celia Hurwitz, Jessica Ison, Gabe Kavanagh, Simone Morrissey, Claire Nemorin, Jenna Price and Tania Safi. Their work is just the beginning.
I look forward to their future efforts on behalf of women in New South Wales.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
