A new law out of the Australian state of Victoria must be discussed. First, it permits abortion through the ninth month, meaning that viable babies are subject to being killed, which is to say it gets close to the land of infanticide. Second, it requires all doctors to either do abortions, or if they have a moral objection, to find and refer to an abortion friendly doctor who will–which I presume would also apply if the woman were 8 1/2 months along.
The law legalizes abortion generally through the 24th week.(Babies become viable at about 20-22 weeks). But the door is wide open to abortions up to the moment of birth. From the statute:
Part 2: (5): Termination of pregnancy by registered medical practitioner after 24 weeks:(1) A registered medical practitioner may perform an abortion on a woman who is more than 24 weeks pregnant only if the medical practitioner–(a) reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances; and (b) has consulted at least one other registered medical practitioner who also reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances.(2) In considering whether the abortion is appropriate in all the circumstances, a registered medical practitioner must have regard to–(a) all relevant medical circumstances; and (b) the woman’s current and future physical, psychological and social circumstances.
This is to say, that if a doctor thinks it is okay, and finds another who agrees, the abortion can go forward. If Kansas’ late term abortionist George Tiller gets shut down in Kansas, he can move to the Victoria.
Second, it requires all doctors to be complicit by either requiring them to perform the abortions or refer to a doctor who they know will do the abortion. From the statute:
Part 2 (8) Obligations of registered health practitioner who has conscientious objection–(1)If a woman requests a registered health practitioner to advise on a proposed abortion, or to perform, direct, authorise or supervise an abortion for that woman, and the practitioner has a conscientious objection to abortion, the practitioner must–(a) inform the woman that the practitioner has a conscientious objection to abortion; and (b) refer the woman to another registered health practitioner in the same regulated health profession who the practitioner knows does not have a conscientious objection to abortion.
This means, at least theoretically, that every physician in Victoria is forced to be complicit in abortion, perhaps even very late term abortions.
We have seen the same kind of proposals in assisted suicide legalization schemes. This will–and is intended to–force physicians of a certain moral persuasion to either can their beliefs at the office door–or quit practicing medicine.
The culture of death countenances no dissent.