ABORTION laws have been put squarely on the agenda in Ballarat following a Coalition split over the issue.
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National candidate Sonia Smith has said she will not preference Liberal candidate Ben Taylor because of his perceived views on the issue.
The Courier has already asked all candidates their views on the issue which could decide the the marginal seat of Buninyong and hurt chances of the Coalition being re-elected.
Ben Taylor, Liberal
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
At this stage there is a big debate on abortion in Victoria, I think on some things there is concern around care and where or when is it a baby, and when it is a foetus? I think the abortion laws in Victoria, they are pretty strong... could they be changed? I really am not too sure what those details are, but in this day and age abortion is in place. It is never going to go back to no abortion but the question then is what is a good balance between that foetus and baby – when is it a baby and when is it a foetus?
Geoff Howard, Labor
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
It is a pretty sensitive issue, but overall abortion does need to be legalised. We do not want to go back to the old years of backyard abortion and those dreadful issues there. So I do support legalising abortion. I want to see mothers fully counselled about their options before taking that choice or making that serious decision.
Sonia Smith, Nationals
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
The issue is one I believe was debated comprehensively back in 2008. I have been around the electorate since January 22 and people have been raising a lot of concerns with me about how to improve their community – you know, how to improve our region. This isn't a question that has come up. But what I would like to say is that I think society as a whole we need to look at how we do create a safer more respectful environment for women and children. We are sick of hearing in the papers day after day, murders or abuse of women and children, so certainly it is not something that I would reopen and it is not an issue people have been raising with me.
Tony Goodfellow, Greens
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
Yep.
Sharon Knight, Labor
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
I do, I believe abortion should is an issue for discussion between a woman and her doctor.
Craig Coltman, Liberal
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
That was discussed back in 2008, the Liberal Party supported a conscience vote on the matter. That effectively outlined the parameters under which abortions can be performed.
As a committed Liberal I actually trust in individual women, individual couples and individual families to make the right decisions pertinent to their circumstances within that legislative framework.
Alice Barnes, Greens
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
I think the fact we are still talking about this issue highlights the disparity we still have in terms of gender quality.
If women were better represented at all levels of government and at parliament I don’t think we would still be talking about this and irresponsible politicians would be bandying around this topic. I think all women should have access to safe, legal abortion and unbiased counselling.
