Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Abortion Stats Show New Strategy Needed

Abortion Stats Show New Strategy Needed

The Statistics NZ data released today showing a 6.5% increase in abortions for the 2003 year1 shows once again that current Government strategies to reduce abortion are not working, and a fresh new approach is needed. Christian Heritage NZ leader Ewen McQueen said today that the current strategy focussed primarily on sex education and increased subsidies for contraception. However he noted that,

“The data shows that most abortions in New Zealand (over 80%)2 are performed on adult women, not naïve teenagers pregnant due to a lack of sex education. And research has shown that affordability of contraception is a problem for only a small minority of these women (approx 12%).3 Given this we should not be surprised that the relying on sex education and contraception to reduce the abortion rate has failed.”

The CHNZ leader said a new approach was needed that focussed on the underlying causes of unwanted pregnancies. The main one was the move away from marriage and towards more casual relationships. The data shows that nearly 90% of women undergoing abortions are not married, but are either single or in de-facto relationships.4 McQueen said,

“It is clear that for many pregnant women, having a partner who is not formally committed to them, let alone their unborn child, is a major factor in their decision not to continue the pregnancy. In light of this we clearly need public policy aimed at rebuilding a culture which affirms marriage, and the safety net of parental commitment that it provides for unborn children.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Christian Heritage NZ leader noted that unfortunately the current Government was committed to policy such as the Civil Unions Bill that further undermined the social significance of marriage. This needed to change if the abortion rate was to be reduced. He said,

“To turn the tide against abortion we urgently need political leadership willing to encourage and promote marriage – not undermine it.”


Ewen McQueen

Party Leader

Christian Heritage NZ

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.