I am a member of an informal coalition of practicing lawyers and legal academics which goes by the name of the "Wilberforce Foundation". A number of us have signed off on a press release designed to make it clear that comments from the "Australian Lawyers Alliance" supporting the proposed changes to abortion laws in NSW do not represent the views of all lawyers. The statement follows.
MEDIA RELEASE OF THE WILBERFORCE FOUNDATION IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPPORT OF THE AUSTRALIAN LAWYERS ALLIANCE FOR THE NSW ABORTION LAW REFORM BILL
The Wilberforce Foundation is a coalition of lawyers and legal academics committed to the preservation and advancement of the moral foundation of the common law, rights and freedoms. Recently, the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) came out in support of the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill. Whilst the ALA is a national organization representing lawyers, academics and other professionals dedicated to protecting and promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individuals, it is important to note that it does not speak for all of us. Lawyers, like any member of the community, can have diverse views on morally controversial issues like abortion. The Wilberforce Foundation opposes the bill and disagrees with the ALA’s claims that there are dangerous consequences for women and doctors from the continued criminalization of abortion.
