A bid to decriminalise abortion will be cold comfort to Griffith women, who will still have to travel all the way to Albury to access surgical terminations.
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The latest figures from Gateway Health in Albury revealed 60 per cent of their patients came from the Murrumbidgee area, due to an absence of services.
But that could change, according to Griffith gynaecologist Nava Navaneethan, if a bill to remove abortion from the Crimes Act is passed through parliament this week.
"It would give more opportunities to doctors who are willing to provide the services but have been unable to until now," Dr Navaneethan said.
Under the current laws Griffith Base Hospital can only offer medical abortions if there is a fetal anomaly or if the woman would be endangered by giving birth.
Dr Navaneethan supports the bill to decriminalise abortion, which will be debated in NSW parliament this week.
"It's a woman's choice, and NSW is the last state to change their laws in this regard," Dr Navaneethan said.
The bill is "a long time coming" for Linking Communities Network deputy CEO Kirrilly Salvestro, who runs the Griffith women's refuge.
She said many of the women at the refuge can't afford to travel to Albury or Melbourne to get an abortion, especially if they have children to look after.
"Making the decision to get an abortion is never easy, but to have the added pressure of travel and getting a criminal conviction just adds to the trauma," Mrs Salvestro said.
"It would be wonderful if all women had access to safe and lawful abortions without criminal convictions."
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Member of Murray Helen Dalton said she would use her conscience vote to support the bill when it is tabled in parliament this week.
"It is my personal view that the government should stay out of other people's bedrooms; abortion should not be classified as a criminal offense," Mrs Dalton said.
She will be meeting with NSW health minister Brad Hazzard this Wednesday to demand better women's health services in the seat of Murray, which she describes as woefully inadequate.
On her wish list are better access to medical abortions as well as cervical screening tests, breast examination, contraceptive advice, pregnancy and post-natal services.
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
