Australia's Foreign Minister to review ban on foreign abortion services funding

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer recently asked for a review of the government's ban on funding for abortion services in other countries, Sharman Stone, minister for workforce participation, said on Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Australia's foreign assistance agency AusAID since 1996 has been barred from funding programs that provide abortion services, training or medical abortion drugs.

Stone, who chairs the bipartisan Parliamentary Group on Population and Development, said, "Clearly, the rights and plight of women are intimately tied up with reproductive health," adding that the committee he chairs supports Downer's decision to review the policy (Metherell, Sydney Morning Herald, 9/11).

The committee on Monday was scheduled to hold a discussion on the policy, the AAP/Age reports.

Suzanne Belton, a researcher at Charles Darwin University, in a written statement submitted to the committee said, "We cannot continue to cordon off abortion as though it does not happen," adding, "In order to reduce maternal mortality, Australian aid money should focus on the prevention of unwanted and mistimed pregnancies and access to high-quality post-abortion care and safe abortion."

About 11% of AusAID funds from 2004 through 2005 went toward health-related programs, including 7% toward reproductive health initiatives (AAP/Age, 9/10).

Belton said at least 13% of maternal deaths worldwide are caused by abortion-related complications, adding that several countries around Australia have a shortfall in family planning funding.

According to the Morning Herald, Health Minister Tony Abbott has said he supports the current policy and likely will oppose any changes (Sydney Morning Herald, 9/11).