Howard vs Abbott

In a move that is sure to shock and dismay his biggest acolyte, Health Minister Tony Abbott, John Howard has apparently over-ruled his decision to close the issue of introducing the abortion pill RU486 to Australia. The drug has been used for many years in other Western countries and has a success rate comparable to medical abortion, without the risks inherent to surgery.

Abbott's decision was made on the basis of medical advice indicating that the pill could be harmful if distributed without adequate medical supervision, especially in country areas. Trouble is, there was never any proposal to distribute it without medical supervision. It wasn't as if they were thinking of popping an RU486 machine next to the condom machine in every truck stop toilet. If someone were thinking of getting an abortion in a country area, they would have to go to a hospital or clinic just like anyone else.

As reluctant as I am to admit it, Howard has made the right call on this issue. We'd all prefer it not have to be a conscience vote, but the fact that a vote has been so long in coming, given that the drug has been so widely used overseas for so many years, leads me to welcome any sort of vote.

More at the Herald.