By TONY ABBOTT
Just before the caretaker period began on the eve of the 2004 election, I established a new Medicare item for the management of pregnancy.
Obstetricians’ fees would largely be covered by the safety net and mothers-to-be would be vastly less out of pocket for having a baby.
Although this move was made in consultation with the prime minister’s office, it led to one of my few serious disagreements with John Howard, who thought it would be a burden on the health budget.
In the run-up to the 2005 budget, more concerned than ever to rein in Medicare costs, the government proposed to increase safety net thresholds and to limit older women’s access to IVF. It’s a matter of record that I considered resignation over the safety net decision. Perhaps not going ahead with the IVF restrictions was my colleagues’ way of atoning for a decision I deplored.
I have never opposed IVF. How could any pro-family politician not encourage people to have children and make it easier for them to do so?
A minister’s job is to implement the policy of the government and to administer departmental programs. It is not to make moral decisions for people. Governments should do what’s best based on expert advice and keep prudent control over expenditure, as taxpayer dollars are not inexhaustible, but otherwise leave people to decide what’s right for them. Contrary to myth, as health minister I never sought to restrict access to the morning-after pill, never sought to prevent the importation of RU486 and never sought to limit access to abortion.
Australia is a pluralist democracy. It always has been and it always should be. The values that political parties and governments should uphold in a country like ours are those that can be justified on the basis of human reason and are potentially accessible to everyone.
After the 2010 federal election, my chief of staff told me she was going to start a family and needed to use IVF. I felt honoured that she had chosen to tell me and to ask for support.
I had some inkling of what IVF involved but hadn’t really grasped the multitude of appointments, tests and, above all, injections: big needles, small needles, this drug, that drug. Then there was the roller coaster of raised and dashed hopes, month after month. Peta Credlin managed this while maintaining her decision-making, priority-juggling and tension-massaging role that’s been a critical part of the Coalition’s success.
There are many types of bravery, including the courage that’s found close to home. It’s brave to persist with IVF. To do so while shouldering the burdens of a difficult job is extraordinary yet there are thousands of women in this position. They deserve our admiration and support.
This article was originally published here and has been republished with permission.
Tony Abbott is the Leader of the Opposition and the Federal Member for Warringah.
Top Comments
I was wondering why so many were protesting and were angry last weekend and it got way out of hand, until I looked and viewed carefully and behold, last week, Bill Shorten mentioned OVER 50 times on TV and radio that he and his followers would "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT..." and he also mentioned OVER 40 times that "ORDINARY" Aussies were going to fight fight fight.
So, I looked and behold, those who worship him and his word did indeed fight and they appear to be VERY ordinary Australians.
I truly believe we are all extraordinary and have incredible creative potential. The creative side of the brain is not being preached at all from Shorten and those of his ilk.
It looked like a cartoon, but taking the form of reality. Itchy and scratchy "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT".. Dangerous...
Don't fight, but look and listen carefully to what the message being delivered is.
Then look, and find out what the others' message is and if it shall bear much fruit. Allow yourself also to look a little ways in to the future, if you can..
I am amazed at how Tony Abbott has been treated re Abortion, RU486 and IVF.
RE: ABORTION
Abortion is a State Law not a Federal Law and varies from State to State. I wonder how many young women realise this.
RE: RU486
On 9 February 2006 the Senate debated as to whether to leave the power re RU486 in the hands of the Health Minister, or transfer the decision making to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This Bill was called the THERAPEUTIC GOODS AMENDMENT (REPEAL OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPROVAL OF RU486) BILL 2005.
In Feb 2006, there were many speeches from Senators and Members. Senator Nick Sherry said in his speech to the Senate “…………to some extent this issue has turned into a de facto debate on abortion and the parameters on which abortion should be allowed in Australia.”
There was a conscience vote on 9 Feb 2006 in the Senate 45 in Favour and 28 Against handing over the to the TGA. Senator Stephen Conroy voted against. On 16 Feb In the House of Reps the vote was 95 in Favour 50 against. Tony Abbott voted against handing over to the TGA as did many ALP Members.
The TGA didn't okay RU486 until August 2012 when it was put on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s register. I believe they wanted to make sure it was safe as they didn't want a repeat of the THALIDOMIDE problem of the 1960's. I was against RU486 to start with, as I came very very close to taking two Distavil tablets (which contained Thalidomide) while pregnant in 1961. How lucky was I, and also my daughter who is now a healthy 50 year-old. Check out all those around 50 year of age who have deformed and missing limbs. See, back then we blindly believed doctors, the government and pharmaceutical companies, when they told us the tablet was SAFE.
RE: IVF.
Well, Tony Abbott isn't on his own there, that has been a continuous learning curve for many of us, as we learn more about what happens. There is an interesting article in The Australian http://www.theaustralian.co...
it is headed “IVF is not a treatment but provision of a commodity” written by Angela Shanahan in The Australian 21 January 2012. Makes for interesting reading.