Fed: Parliament to vote on RU486 bill

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2006
Fed: Parliament to vote on RU486 bill

Federal MPs vote today on whether to remove the health minister's control over the
abortion drug RU486.

The vote follows an extended sitting of parliament during which MPs spoke passionately
on the issue.

Health minister TONY ABBOTT launched a scathing attack on the pro-abortion movement
yesterday .. saying abortion is worn as a badge of liberation by some.

But Treasurer PETER COSTELLO is strongly backing a woman's right to choose and says
he'll use his conscience vote to support the bill.





Mr COSTELLO says 18 years ago .. as his wife lay unconscious in hospital .. he was
confronted with the choice of whether to abort their pregnancy.

He chose to continue with the treatment and the pregnancy and she survived .. but is
adamant that the law should have allowed him the choice.

The Senate has already passed the bill.

AAP RTV pjo/wz/ibw

KEYWORD: ABORTION (CANBERRA)

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