Abortion: Where do they stand in Western Victoria?

Anti-choice groups are working hard to ensure they have influence in the next Victorian parliament - with candidates who would support attacks on existing abortion laws competitive in a number of key lower and upper house races. 

Votes on abortion are generally put to personal, rather party votes in parliament - so it's critical to know where the individual candidates in your region stands. That's why Fair Agenda members and partners have done the hard work for you - surveying candidates on where they stand on abortion issues. Click on the headings below to find out where the candidates in your area stand.

NOTE: New analysis shows that a web of party preference deals could see anti-choice parties win the critical 5th seat in Western Victoria -- and take over the balance of power in Victoria's upper house. Click below to find out how you can make sure your vote helps keep these parties out of power. 

Western Victoria & anti-choicers in balance of power?

New analysis suggests that the anti-choice party Democratic Labor Party (DLP) could win a critical upper house seat in the Western Victoria region, thanks to preference flows from other parties (read more here). A win in this seat could hand the party balance of power in the next parliament - and a terrifying opportunity to launch attacks on our abortion laws.

The parties whose preferences will support the DLP in this region (covering Geelong, Horsham, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Ballarat) are: (source)

- The Labor Party, People Power Victoria, Shooters and Fishers Party, Australian Christians, Rise Up Australia.

Want to keep these anti-choice parties out of parliament? You can make sure they don't receive your preference by voting for pro-choice candidates below the line.

These are the candidates who told us they're pro-choice in our issue survey:

Candidate

Party

Electorate

Supports the legal right to have an abortion?

Would protect current abortion laws?

Would protect s8?

Supports access zones at clinics?

Jaala Pulford

Labor

Western Victoria

Lloyd Davies

The Greens

Western Victoria Region

Jayden Millard

Australian Sex Party

Western Victoria

Catriona Thoolen

Palmer United Party

Western Victoria

Adrian Whitehead

Save the Planet

Western Region

Note that the Greens and The Sex Party also have a pro-choice party position. 

 

Don't want to support anti-choice candidates?

There are several parties who publicly state they have an anti-abortion position. Including:

Democratic Labor Party (DLP)

The DLP state on their website that they consider Victoria’s abortion laws ‘amongst the worst in the world’.

They would support changes to the Abortion Law Reform Act 2008, and have said if elected they will (amongst other things):

- at the earliest opportunity, introduce a private member’s bill calling for the repeal of s8

- within 6 months, launch a campaign to reform further sections of the Act

Source: http://www.dlp.org.au/blog/amend-victorian-abortion-laws-starting-with-section-8/

Rise Up Australia

State that they are “completely opposed to abortion”.

Source: http://riseupaustraliaparty.com/?page_id=1208

Family First

Have previously stated that they would oppose the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW.

Source: http://www.nswvotes.org.au/policies/index.php?topic_ids=73#question3

Australian Christians

State on their website that they want laws designed to protect foetuses.

Source: http://australianchristians.com.au/values/

 

All candidate's responses to our reproductive rights survey 

The survey responses received from candidates so far are: 

Candidate

Party

Electorate

Supports the legal right to have an abortion?

Would protect current abortion laws?

Would protect s8?

Supports access zones at clinics?

Martin Foley

Labor

Albert Park

No position

David Collis

The Greens

Albert Park

Jill Hennessy

Labor

Altona District

No position

Brenton Peake

The Greens

Bellarine

Lisa Neville MP

Labor

Bellarine

Jennifer Podesta

Labor

Benambra

Jacinta Allan

Labor

Bendigo East

Maree Edwards

Labor

Bendio West

Sean Mulcahy

The Greens

Bentleigh

Chandra Ojha

Independent

Bentleigh

Bill Pemberton

The Greens

Box Hill

Margaret Beavis

The Greens

Brighton

Louise Crawford

Labor

Brighton

Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon

The Greens

Broadmeadows

Sonia Smith

The Nationals

Buninyong

Tony Goodfellow

The Greens

Buninyong

Tim Read

The Greens

Brunswick

Eleni Arapoglou

Australian Christians

Bulleen

Adam Rundell

Labor Party

Bulleen

Ben Cronly

The Greens

Bulleen

Beck Stuart

The Greens

Burwood

Gavin Ryan

Labor

Burwood

Sonya Kilkenny

Labor

Carrum

Tim Baxter

The Greens

Caulfield

Josh Burns

Labor

Caulfield

Hong Lim

Labor Party

Clarinda

Jude Perera

Labor Party

Cranbourne

Lesley Fielding

Labor

Croydon

Gabrielle Williams

Labor

Dandenong

 ✔

Mary Wooldridge

Liberal

Eastern metropolitan

No position

Brenton Edgecombe

Animal Justice Party

Eastern Metropolitan

Samantha Dunn

The Greens

Eastern Metropolitan

Dimity Paul

Labor

Eastern Metropolitan Region

Shaun Leane

Labor

Eastern Metropolitan region

Ash Belsar

Australian Christians

Eastern Region

Douglas Leitch

Australian Sex Party

Eastern Victoria

Kristin Bacon

Animal Justice Party

Eastern Victoria

Danny O'Brien

The Nationals

Eastern Victoria

No position

Marie Sellstrom

The Greens

Eildon

Bruce Argyle

Independent

Eildon

Liezl Shnookal

The Greens 

Eltham District

Ashley Waite

The Greens

Essendon

Clare Malcolm

Labor

Euroa

Peter Harris

Labor

Evelyn

Matt Posetti

Labor

Ferntree Gully

Marsha Thomson

Labor Party

Footscray

Rod Swift

The Greens

Footscray

Brewis Atkinson

The Greens

Forest Hill

Anthoony Wallace

Australian Christian Party

Frankston

Paul Edbrooke

Labor

Frankston

Sarah Hathway

Socialist Alliance

Geelong

Michael Schilling

The Greens Victoria

Gembrook

John McNally

Labor

Hawthorn

Sam Long

The Greens

Inner West

Lynn Frankes

The Greens

Kew

Martin Pakula

Labor

Keysborough

Mary-Anne Thomas

Labor

Macedon

Jennifer Kanis

Labor

Melbourne

Ellen Sandell

The Greens

Melbourne

Don Nardella

Labor

Melton

Lily D'Ambrosio

Labor Party

Mill Park

Alex Breskin

The Greens

Mordialloc

Matthew McLaren

Greens

Mornington

Rebecca Wright

Labor

Mornington

Tracie Lund

Independent

Morwell

Daniel Caffrey

The Greens

Morwell

Jadon Mintern

Labor Party

Morwell

Perky Raj Khangure

The Greens

Mount Waverley

Daniel Andrews

Labor

Mulgrave

Josh Fergeus

The Greens

Mulgrave

Carolyn Gleixner

Labor

Nepean

Bryony Edwards

Save the Planet

Northcote

Fiona Richardson

Labor

Northcote

Trent McCarthy

The Greens

Northcote

Fiona Patten

Australian Sex Party

Northern Metro

Jenny Mikakos MP

Labor

Northern Metro Region

Peter Allan

Independent

Northern Metro Region

Bruce Poon

Animal Justice Party

Northern Metropolitan

steve herbert

Labor

Northern Region

Michelle Goldsmith

The Greens

Northern Victoria

Jenny O'Connor

The Greens

Northern Victoria

Steve Dimopoulos

Labor

Oakleigh

✔ 

Steven Merriel

The Greens

Oakleigh

Jamie McCaffrey

The Greens

Ovens Valley

Gail Cholosznecki

Labor

Ovens Valley

Sean Brocklehurst

Socialist Alliance

Pascoe Vale

Dr Eleonora Gullone

Animal Justice Party

Prahran

✔ 

Neil Pharaoh

Labor

Prahran

Rose Ljubicic

The Greens

Preston

Lola Currie

Animal Justice Party

regional Victoria

Richard Wynne

Labor Party

Richmond

Nevena Spirovska

Australian Sex Party

Richmond

Kathleen Maltzahn

The Greens

Richmond

Tamika Hicks

Labor

Rowville

Adam McBeth

The Greens

Sandringham

Christina Zigouras

Labor

Sandringham

Sami Greiss

Australian Christians

SE Metro - Melbourne

Greg Barr

The Nationals

Shepparton

No position

Jamie Overend

Animal Justice Party

South Barwon

Lisa Ashdowne

The Greens

South Barwon

Nina Springle

The Greens

South East Metropolitan

Martin Leahy

Sex Party

South East Metropolitan

Thomas Campbell

The Greens

South-West Coast

Dr Francesca Collins

Australian Sex Party

Southern Metropolitan

Fiona Stewart

Voluntary Euthanasia Party

Southern Metropolitan

Sue Pennicuik

The Greens

Southern Metropolitan

Nyree Walshe

Animal Justice party

Southern Metropolitan Region

James Searle

The Greens

Southern Metropolitan Region

Philip Dalidakis

Labor

Southern Metropolitan Region

Fiona McRostie

Animal Justice Party

Southern Region

Alex Schlotzer

The Greens

Sydenham

Jacinta Ermacora

Labor

Upper House Western Victoria

Richard Cranston

The Greens

Warrandyte

Liam Hastie

Australian Sex Party

Wendouree

Alice Barnes

The Greens

Wendouree

Sharon Knight

Labor

Wendouree

Tim Pallas

Labor

Werribee

Bro Sheffield-Brotherton

The Greens

Werribee

Justine Curatolo

Animal Justice Party

Western Metro

Colleen Hartland

The Greens

Western Metro

Roy Taylor

Animal Justice Party

Western Metropolitan

Adrian Whitehead

Save the Planet

Western Region

Anne Foster

Australian Christians

Western Regional Victoria

Jayden Millard

Australian Sex Party

Western Victoria

Jaala Pulford

Labor

Western Victoria

Lloyd Davies

The Greens

Western Victoria Region

Catriona Thoolen

Palmer United Party

Western Victoria Region

Wade Noonan

Labor Party

Williamstown

No position

Simon Crawford

The Greens

Williamstown

Danielle Green

Labor

Yan Yean

Daniel Sacchero

The Greens

Yan Yean

Natalie Abboud

The Greens

Yuroke

Note: Louise Asher MP didn't complete the survey; but indicated that her view could be determined from her voting record (in favour of the 2008 abortion law reform).
Note: The Palmer United Party advised that they had not yet announced candidates when surveyed.

Party positions 

Two parties indicated that they have a party position on abortion. These positions are outlined below:

Party

Supports the legal right to have an abortion?

Would vote to protect current abortion laws?

Would vote to protect s8?

Supports the introduction of access zones at clinics?

Australian Sex Party - Victoria

The Greens

 

In the marginal lower house seats...

See which of the lead candidates in Victoria's most marginal seats we've heard from...

Seat

Lead candidates

Party

Responded to Fair Agenda survey?

Would they vote to protect current abortion laws?

Public position? Or contact details so you can ask them

Albert Park

         
 

Martin Foley

Labor

Yes

 
 

Shannon Eeles

Liberal

No

 

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Bellarine

         
 

Lisa Neville

Labor

Yes

 
 

Ron Nelson

Liberal

No

 

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Bendigo East

       
 

Jacinta Allan

Labor

Yes

 
 

Greg Bickley

Liberal

No

 

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Bendigo West

       
 

Maree Edwards

Labor

Yes

 
 

Michael Langdon

Liberal

No

 

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Bentleigh

         
 

Nick Staikos

Labor

No

 

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Elizabeth Miller

Liberal

No

 

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Brunswick

         
 

Tim Reid

Greens

Yes

 
 

Jane Garrett

Labor

No

 

EMILY's List endorsed (pro-choice)

Buninyong

         
 

Sonia Smith

National

Yes

 ✔

 

 

Geoff Howard

Labor

No

 

Reported as supporting abortion laws as they are.

 

Ben Taylor

Liberal

No

 

Reported as supporting roll back of abortion laws. 

Carrum

         
 

Sonya Kilkenny

Labor

Yes

 
 

Donna Bauer

Liberal

No

 

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Cranbourne

         
 

Jude Perera

Labor

Yes

 ✔

 

 

Geoff Ablett

Liberal

No

 

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Eltham

         
 

Vicki Ward

Labor

No

 

EMILY's List endorsed (pro-choice)

 

Steven Briffa

Liberal

No

 

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Essendon

         
 

Danny Pearson

Labor

No

 

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Fred Ackerman

Liberal

No

 

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Forest Hill

         
 

Pauline Richards

Labor

No

 

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Neil Angus

Liberal

No

 

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Frankston

         
 

Paul Edbrooke

Labor

Yes

 
 

Sean Armistead

Liberal

No

 

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Geoff Shaw

Independent

No

 

Previously proposed radical changes to Victoria's  abortion laws.

Geelong

         
 

Christine Couzens

Labor

No

 

EMILY's List endorsed (pro-choice)

 

Paula Kontelj

Liberal

No

 

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Ivanhoe

         
 

Anthony Carbines

Labor

No

 

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Carl Ziebell

Liberal

No

 

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Macedon

         
 

Mary-Anne Thomas

Labor

Yes

 
 

Donna Petrovich

Liberal

No

 

Voted against abortion law reform in 2008.

Melbourne

         
 

Ellen Sandell

Greens

Yes

 
 

Jennifer Kanis

Labor

Yes

 

Monbulk

         
 

James Merlino

Labor

No

 

Voted against abortion law reform in 2008.

 

Mark Verschuur

Liberal

No

 

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Mordialloc

         
 

Tim Richardson

Labor

No

 

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Lorraine Wreford

Liberal

No

 

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Mulgrave

         
 

Daniel Andrews

Labor

Yes

 
 

Robert Davies

Liberal

No

 

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Narre Warren North

       
 

Judith Graley

Labor

No

 

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Amanda Stapledon

Liberal

No

 

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Niddrie

         
 

Ben Carroll

Labor

No

 

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Rebecca Gauci Maurici

Liberal

No

 

Facebook |  Email

Prahran

         
 

Sam Hibbins

Greens

No

*

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Neil Pharaoh

Labor

Yes

 
 

Clem Newton Brown

Liberal

No

 

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Ripon

         
 

Daniel McGlone

Labor

No

 

Doesn't propose  change to legality and availability.

 

Louise Staley

Liberal

No

 

Has said she supports the laws. 

South Barwon

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Richards

Labor

No

 

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Andrew Katos

Liberal

No

 

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Wendouree

         
 

Sharon Knight

Labor

Yes

 
 

Craig Coltman Liberal

Liberal

No

 

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Yan Yean

         
 

Danielle Green

Labor

Yes

 
 

Sam Ozturk

Liberal

No

 

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*Party has a party position on this issue - which would defend the current laws.

Candidates can complete the survey and share their position by contacting Fair Agenda via [email protected]

What are the party positions? 

Two parties have indicated they have a party position on this issue through our survey. They are:

Party

Supports the legal right to have an abortion?

Would vote to protect current abortion laws?

Would vote to protect s8?

Supports the introduction of access zones at clinics?

Australian Sex Party - Victoria

The Greens

 

Labor and the Coalition have both vowed to maintain the state’s existing abortion law if they win the election. But as major party votes on abortion are generally put to a personal, rather than party, vote in parliament - and there are pro- and anti-choice candidates across both major parties -- so knowing where individual candidates stand is critical. 

 

There are several parties who publicly state they have an anti-abortion position. Including:

Democratic Labor Party (DLP)

The DLP state on their website that they consider Victoria’s abortion laws ‘amongst the worst in the world’.

They would support changes to the Abortion Law Reform Act 2008, and have said if elected they will (amongst other things):

- at the earliest opportunity, introduce a private member’s bill calling for the repeal of s8

- within 6 months, launch a campaign to reform further sections of the Act

Source: http://www.dlp.org.au/blog/amend-victorian-abortion-laws-starting-with-section-8/

Rise Up Australia

State that they are “completely opposed to abortion”.

Source: http://riseupaustraliaparty.com/?page_id=1208

Family First

Have previously stated that they would oppose the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW.

Source: http://www.nswvotes.org.au/policies/index.php?topic_ids=73#question3

Australian Christians

State on their website that they want laws designed to protect foetuses.

Source: http://australianchristians.com.au/values/

Recent news reports suggest that the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Australian Christians and Rise Up Australia parties are also working together to direct their preferences to candidates that would water down abortion laws. (Read more

UPDATE ON PREFERENCE DEALS: Fairfax analysis suggests anti-choice parties Rise Up Australia and Democratic Labor Party (DLP) have a chance of winning upper house seats in South-Eastern Metropolitan region and Western Victoria, due to preference flows from other parties (read more here). 

The parties whose preferences will support these anti-choice parties are: (source)

- Demoratic Labour Party (DLP) in Western Victoria Region - Labor Party, People Power Victoria, Shooters and Fishers Party, Australian Christians, Rise Up Australia.
- Rise Up Australia in South-East Metropolitan Region - People Power Victoria, Australian Christians, Democratic Labour Party (DLP), People Power Victoria, Family First, Shooters and Fishers Party.

Want to keep anti-choice parties out of parliament? You can make sure they don't receive your preference by voting below the line.

The survey questions

We've asked all the lead candidates to answer four simple questions about their voting intention on matters of reproductive rights. These questions ask: do they support the legal right to abortion, would they would vote to protect current abortion laws, and would they support additional measures to protect those trying to access reproductive healthcare.

Q1

Do you support a woman’s legal right to have an abortion?

-       Yes, I support the legal right to an abortion

-       No, I oppose the legal right to an abortion

Q2

The Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 (Vic) provides the framework that gives Victorian women the legal right to access an abortion. This law was introduced after significant consultation with the public and health professionals, and under advice from the Victorian Law Reform Commission. If a member of parliament proposed repealing parts of the Abortion Law Reform Act to make it harder for women to access abortion in Victoria, would you vote to retain the current law?

-       Yes, I would vote to retain Victoria’s current abortion laws

-       No, I would vote or repeal some or all of Victoria’s abortion laws

Q3

Section 8 of the Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 (Vic) requires that a health professional with a conscientious objection to abortion to refer the woman to a non-objecting health practitioner. If a member of parliament proposed repealing s8 of the Abortion Law Reform Act, would you vote to retain s8?

-       Yes, I would vote to retain s8

-       No, I would vote to repeal s8

Q4

Women trying to access abortion service providers are often subject to harassment, intimidation, threats and obstruction. In Tasmania, the parliament recently passed laws introducing an 'access zone' around clinics to protect women from this kind of behaviour.  Would you support a Bill that introduced a law forbidding any person from harassing, intimidating, threatening, interfering with or obstructing anyone within a certain distance (e.g. 150m) of the entrance to a clinic providing health services that include abortion?

-       Yes, I would vote for a Bill creating an access zone

-       No, I would not vote for a Bill creating an access zone

Can you help share this critical information with your friends before they had to polls?

Candidates wishing to share their position can contact Fair Agenda via [email protected].

Authorised by Renee Carr, Level 1, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000.