News, articles and position statements
With a Federal election two days away, inflammatory and misleading material has appeared throughout electorates, and online, about abortions in Australia. The majority of Australians, 70.5% according to the ABC’s Vote Compass, believe abortion should be more accessible, so the views expressed in the distributed material are not in line with community expectations. However, as a national not-for-profit provider of …
Marie Stopes Australia welcomes the High Court ruling upholding the constitutionality of safe access zones in Victoria and Tasmania. Acting CEO of Marie Stopes Australia, Jamal Hakim said that “today’s High Court ruling demonstrates that women’s health, safety and privacy is absolutely critical when accessing healthcare services.” “A lot of effort has gone into the defence of these zones because …
Australia urgently needs a national approach to the provision of sexual and reproductive health services and today, that need is one step closer to being met with the announcement by the Australian Labor Party that it would fund a national strategy if elected to Government this year. “While we have made some headway on sexual and reproductive health issues, it’s …
Marie Stopes Australia has been recognised by the Australian Council of Health Care Standards (ACHS) for its outstanding work with consumers to improve the patient experience. The award recognises Marie Stopes Australia’s work engaging consumers in workforce training, co-design of services and facilities, and advocacy campaigns and media. It also recognises the organisation’s transparency in reporting safety and quality outcomes …
Reproductive Coercion is a hidden form of violence and control that can have life altering consequences. Reproductive coercion is behaviour that deliberately prevents a person from making decisions about their reproductive health. It includes: contraceptive sabotage including “stealthing” Pressuring another person into pregnancy Forcing a person to have an abortion or continue a pregnancy Forcing a person into sterilisation. The …
Marie Stopes Australia welcomes White Ribbon Australia’s reinstatement of the reproductive rights statement on their website. We do, however, hold concerns as to what the stakeholder consultation process entails. The recent commentary from White Ribbon has also left us confused as to what White Ribbon is; a membership organisation or an organisation that advocates against domestic violence. Our main concern …
Marie Stopes Australia welcomed the passing of the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018 in the Queensland Parliament last night. CEO of Marie Stopes Australia, Michelle Thompson, said the passing of the Bill will modernise the State’s termination of pregnancy laws, provide certainty for healthcare professionals involved in abortion care, and stop treating women seeking abortions as criminals. “This is a …
Marie Stopes Australia welcomes the release of the Queensland Law Reform Commission report that recommends removing abortion from the State’s Criminal Code. CEO of Marie Stopes Australia, Michelle Thompson, said the announcement today by the Queensland Labor Government to support the recommendations and introduce draft legislation to decriminalise abortion was a win for Queensland women. “We are delighted that the …
Gender bias is all around us. It can be subtle, like calling a grown woman a “girl” or it can be obvious such as sexually harassing someone on the basis of their gender. Regardless of the form it takes, gender bias plays a crucial role in forming the way we perceive gendered roles and responsibilities. The media that we consume …
Marie Stopes Australia welcomes the passing of legislation by the NSW Legislative Council today aimed at providing women with safe access zones around sexual and reproductive health clinics. Marie Stopes Australia CEO, Michelle Thompson, said the passing of the legislation meant the zones were one step closer to becoming a reality. “For too long, side-walk counsellors have harassed, intimidated and …
Marie Stopes Australia will reopen its sexual and reproductive health clinic at Westmead in Sydney’s west this morning, paying homage to three prominent Australian women who have changed the face of reproductive rights in this country. “The Marie Stopes Australia Westmead Clinic has been supporting Australian women and men for more than 20 years,” CEO Michelle Thompson said. “In that …
Imagine going to work and being told by random strangers that you are going to hell. You have to push past people who tell you what you do is wrong, that you should be ashamed and that you’re doing the devil’s work. Your vehicle is regularly splashed by ‘holy water’ that mysteriously blisters the paint on your car, and you …
We are looking for ‘brave philanthropists’ to support our $3 million Choice Fund for Australians who are struggling to afford abortion and contraception. We plan to use our tax-deductible gift recipient status to pay for pregnancy terminations and contraceptive services for people experiencing financial hardship who can’t pay for private clinics. Our fund will provide coverage for transport and accommodation costs, particularly for people in rural and remote areas where services are scarcest. We’re looking for pro-choice backers who are committed to universal access …
I can’t stand these people who stand at the corner and start yelling at you about what your views are on a very personal issue, just get out of my face, leave me alone I will make the decision up myself. These are powerful words. You’d be forgiven for thinking they are the words of a woman running the gauntlet …
The Victorian Government’s announcement of the first two community health hubs is a signal to the rest of the country that sexual and reproductive health should be given greater priority in health care planning. Marie Stopes Australia Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Thompson, said the hubs are a good way of de-stigmatising sexual and reproductive health services and providing women with …
