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MEDIA RELEASE

16 March 2011 Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand

[For Use on 17 March 2011]

*On 40th Anniversary, Alranz Joins New Abortion Campaign *

On the 40th anniversary of its first ever public meeting, the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand is excited to announce its participation in a new campaign to decriminalise New Zealand’s outdated abortion laws.

Forty years ago, on 17 March 1971, ALRANZ held its first meeting in a community hall in Auckland, which was attended by about 300 people.

“ALRANZ has been campaigning for change for every one of the past 40 years,” said National Secretary, Dr. Morgan Healey. “So we were particularly gratified to see a new generation of women and men at a pro-choice gathering in Wellington last weekend (12-13 March) who are eager to move the campaign forward.”

Dr. Healey said New Zealand’s abortion laws were outdated and punitive. “It’s long past time that New Zealand women were treated with the respect they deserve, and able to make their own decisions on abortion.”

Those at the conference agreed that abortion should be treated like any other health issue, and removed from the Crimes Act.

“Because they are archaic and not focused on health, the current laws are preventing access to early medication abortion, which can greatly improve waiting times for women,” Dr. Healey said.

“We look forward to working with other pro-choice groups and individuals to bring New Zealand’s abortion laws into the 21st century.”

*ENDS*

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