Victorian Abortion Report

Two Victorian political parties and their MPs have released a report on access to abortion, which recommends significantly undermining conscientious objection.

One of their recommendations was to remove the ability for faith-based institutions (including hospitals) to choose not to have VAD operating in their facilities.

However, another recommendation is even more insidious: the report calls for an “oversight mechanism to collect data on the number of conscientious objectors and to ensure compliance with referral obligations”.

The recommendation would force all conscientious objectors to register with the government, to be counted and monitored – effectively creating a public list of religious medical practitioners.

This would be extraordinary government overreach, violating the most fundamental principles of conscience and privacy. We are gravely concerned that the Victorian government might consider this recommendation.

Read the full report