Abortion Law Reform Association Of New Zealand (ALRANZ) National President Dr Margaret Sparrow
Judith Collin's revised proposal which has doctors filling out a form to send to the Family Court is no improvement on
the original proposal requiring girls under 16 to apply to a judge for permission to have an abortion when parents are
not informed.
Both proposals are unnecessary.
The notion that somehow not informing parents may lead to the perpetuation of criminal activity is just not true.
Under the present law the referring doctor, the two certifying consultants and the counsellor are all able and do refer
to the relevant authorities when care and protection are required.
Dr Margaret Sparrow