Past Programs
Abortion - 2008
New party to cover censorship issues
17/11/2008
The Australian Sex Party will be launched in Melbourne this week. The party is still gathering enough members to register itself, but hopes to run senate candidates. Their platform will include more relaxed censorship laws, improved sex education in schools and a better approach to internet filtering. The party is already planning to attach a short advertisement to the millions of X-rated videos to be sold over the next year, calling for support.
Abortion pressure
07/10/2008
A controversial bill decriminalising abortion in Victoria is looking shaky. The Catholic Church has ramped up pressure on state Upper House MPs who'll vote on it this week. The bill, which passed through Victoria's Lower House last month, seeks to legalise abortion at up to 24 weeks gestation and removes it from the state's Crimes Act.
It also requires those with a conscientious objection to abortion to refer the patient on to a doctor who doesn't have similar objections. The Catholic Church says that clause of the bill is a 'strident challenge' to many people's fundamental beliefs. If the bill is passed, the Church says it will consider withdrawing Catholic hospital services in the state.
Foreign aid and abortion
04/06/2008
The federal government is looking at overturning a ban, put in place by the former government, that prevents Australian foreign aid from being spent on abortions, or abortion education in developing nations.
Liberal backbencher Dr Mal Washer says the ban should go.
