Proponents of the Bill argue that it is tightly worded and will have no effect on women's reproductive care or medical circumstances. Pre-eminent legal and medical specialists disagree.
The Australian Medical Association (NSW):
"The view of AMA(NSW) is that the current extended definition of Grievous Bodily Harm under the Crimes Act 1900 is sufficient and should not be amended. Any further extension of the legislation, to create a charge of grievous bodily harm for a child in utero, in our view, would have unintended consequences and flow on effects in other areas of medicine and, indeed, the
law. Further AMA(NSW) objects to any legislative amendment or creation of a criminal offence which recognises an unborn child as a legal entity independent of its mother. Our immediate concern is that such recognition would create unnecessary complications across several
of our member's specialities, such as genetics and obstetrics."
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians
The NSW Bar Association
NSW Law Society
The Australian Medical Association (NSW):
"The view of AMA(NSW) is that the current extended definition of Grievous Bodily Harm under the Crimes Act 1900 is sufficient and should not be amended. Any further extension of the legislation, to create a charge of grievous bodily harm for a child in utero, in our view, would have unintended consequences and flow on effects in other areas of medicine and, indeed, the
law. Further AMA(NSW) objects to any legislative amendment or creation of a criminal offence which recognises an unborn child as a legal entity independent of its mother. Our immediate concern is that such recognition would create unnecessary complications across several
of our member's specialities, such as genetics and obstetrics."
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians
The NSW Bar Association
NSW Law Society
Children By Choice: http://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/
Equality Rights Alliance: http://www.equalityrightsalliance.org.au/
National Foundation of Australian Women:
www.nfaw.org
Destroy the Joint:
https://www.facebook.com/DestroyTheJoint
WAAC NSW:
www.waac.org.au
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (VIC):
http://www.mcwh.com.au
Sydney Feminists:
http://www.sydneyfeminists.org