The Family Party - Abortion

"There is reason to doubt the lawfulness of many abortions authorised by certifying consultants."

- High Court Judge Justice Forrest Miller June 08 Review of the workings of the Abortion Supervisory Committee

Did you know?

Every single day last year some 50 babies were disposed of by induced abortion. Of the 18,380 abortions performed in 2007, two every week, were on girls aged between 11 and 14, and another 4,173, or 22.7 per cent, were on girls aged between 15 and 19
The number of 11 to 14-year-old girls having abortions has increased 144% in the past 15 years, and among 15 to 19-year-olds by 74%. Teenage pregnancies make up nearly 25% of all abortions
For every teenager who gives birth now, another has an abortion, and one in four pregnancies of women of all ages currently ends with abortion
In the past 30 years, the number of abortions performed annually has soared from 4,682 in 1976 to 18,380 last year
Since 1999 the Labour Government has presided over the destruction of over 140,000 unborn New Zealanders. In 2006 the Government paid certifying consultants over $5 million in fees for authorising nearly 18,000 abortions. The highest paid consultant received $223,800 in fees for authorising 1,685 abortions, he declined only 7 (i.e. less than half of one percent)

Our thinking on Abortion: The Family Party values all human life, extending to the unborn child, and is seriously concerned that New Zealand’s abortion laws are being used too liberally, to the point of fostering a culture of abortion-on-demand. The Party supports the ruling of High Court Judge Justice Forrest Miller, who said the Bill of Rights, through the abortion law, had recognised the unborn child had a "claim on the conscience of the community, and not merely that of the mother".

Our goal: The Family Party aims to significantly decrease the number of abortions in New Zealand.

Policies to decrease New Zealand’s abortion rate: The Family Party will:

Seek legal status for the unborn child
Introduce 'abstinence' as the 'entry point' to sex education that offers young people a better choice when it comes to decisions involving sexual behaviour: notwithstanding contraception would remain a valid part of the sex education curriculum
Review current practice and procedure around abortions to determine whether the original intent of the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act is being achieved and complied with, with regards to the right to life of the unborn child
Provide mothers with a genuine and meaningful range of alternatives to abortion, such as adoption and effective support services to continue with pregnancy, birth and early childhood
Implement a thorough education programme for mothers contemplating abortion, including viewing a scan of baby in the womb, to be fully and fairly informed of the nature and impact of abortion on their physical and emotional wellbeing
Require parental knowledge and consent for child/teen abortion procedures (Amendment to the Care of Children Act)