'Women should be the ones who decide': SA GPs push back on abortion restrictions

South Australian GPs are speaking out against new proposed restrictions on abortion access. 

It comes following independent MP and former One Nation member, Sarah Game, planning to introduce a bill on Friday limiting access to abortion after 23 weeks. 

RACGP South Australia Chair, Dr Siân Goodson, said that decisions on abortion should be made by patients in consultation with healthcare professionals.  

“Abortion services are essential healthcare, and we strongly oppose these plans,” she said. 

“It’s critical we keep working towards affordable and accessible abortion care across Australia, and these proposed changes are a step in the wrong direction.

“Decisions about termination should be made by patients in consultation with their doctor. They cannot be reduced to arbitrary rules set by politicians. The College has previously spoken out on the importance of making abortion and contraceptive services more affordable and accessible across Australia, and we’ll continue to do so.” 

The College’s Deputy South Australia Chair and SHINE SA Sexual Health Doctor and Medical Lead, Dr Clare Keogh, echoed the call and warned against politicisation of reproductive healthcare. 

“Decisions about termination after 23 weeks are complex, rare, and deeply personal. They must be made by patients and their doctors, not by politicians,” she said. 

“Once again, we’re seeing attempts to limit access to termination, and this undermines safe, evidence-based healthcare. Attorney-General Kyam Maher’s comments last year saying that it’s dangerous to play politics with the health and wellbeing of women were spot on.  

“Unfortunately, abortion continues to be stigmatised and politicised. Patients deserve safe, affordable, accessible abortion care, provided in consultation with healthcare professionals. Politicians should not be the ones making these decisions. Girls, women and people who can become pregnant can make their own decisions on their own healthcare, including termination of pregnancy.” 

Earlier this year, the RACGP joined 40 health and medical organisations calling for support for access to abortion as part of an ongoing commitment to essential healthcare. 

To strengthen access to abortion, this included: 

• demonstrating national leadership to affirm abortion as essential healthcare 

• ensuring the Medicare Benefits Schedule includes appropriate remuneration for healthcare providers delivering affordable care 

• supporting workforce capacity by working with medical and professional colleges providing sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare training 

• ensuring public hospitals provide abortion care as part of standard, comprehensive reproductive health services 

• working with state and territory governments to implement all 36 recommendations from the Senate Inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare. 

The RACGP’s submission to the 2022 Senate inquiry called for key changes, including harmonising state and territory legislation for medical and surgical termination, and making the full range of contraceptive options accessible and affordable for all patients. The following year, the College also threw its support behind changes to improve access to medical abortion across Australia, particularly for women living in rural and remote communities. 

~ENDS