Ok most claims are misleading that is fine then , it does say that the claims abortion will be on demand are false, and claims NO legal requirement: that babies born alive after an abortion are given medical support are false. It also says NO legal requirement: to give pain relief for babies aborted after 20 weeks, omits important context because ‘there is no scientific evidence that the fetus is capable of feeling pain before around 24 weeks’

This legislation looks like it is updating legislation from 1961 in social policy terms fairly old ,’ that legislation made abortions only explicitly allowed for abortions on disability grounds before 20 weeks’ In practice abortions have been available for women in later term pregnancy and ‘many abortions were done for congenital abnormalities (disabilities) post 20 weeks under the circumstances that they would cause serious problems for the mental health of the mother. ‘
That now will only happen if two qualified health care professionals agree, these health care professionals will need to meet the legal, ethical and professional standards set by their professions. I assume the New Zealand medical authorities are writing up or have guidelines for the criteria needed to meet for post 20-week abortions. If it does include allowance for abortions on the grounds of sex, cleft palate or I’ve changed my mind then I’ll happily get my placard and come with you to protest
Yes, to some extent we do need to trust the Doctors and medical authorities to act with integrity, I also hope there would be accountability and transparency in decision making. Of course, I’ll also trust the New Zealand people to hold the parliament and authorities to account and use their power of protest and vote in the next election if late term abortions are being given on demand for spurious reasons.
As I say it looks like they are updating old legislation but the headline ‘New Zealand passes legislation to better aligns the regulation of abortion services with other health services, and modernises the legal framework of abortion provided by the Crimes Act 1961 and the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 (CSA Act 1977).’ Might not get the same visceral reaction which was the point I made originally , the story is being spun to make you feel horrified and react emotively , if a story does that then taking time to check it out is the sensible response.

Barbara Windsor... had 5 abortions

You might find it incredibly irresponsible and immoral to say no evidence exists but apparently the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists don’t ‘ it was apparent that connections from the periphery to the cortex are not intact before 24 weeks of gestation and, as most neuroscientists believe that the cortex is necessary for pain perception, it can be concluded that the foetus cannot experience pain in any sense prior to this gestation’ Para 2 of the summary on page viii [Link]
Despite what people seem to believe science is never going to be unanimous ,you will be unlikely to get 100% agreement and I have no doubt there are dissent voices, but the overwhelming evidence points to the fact that prior to 24 weeks fetuses don’t feel pain. If credible evidence is found to the contrary then the law should be changed without hesitation.
Also being pedantic 6 months isn’t 24 weeks it is 26 weeks so I would agree with you any law that allows for the act of ending the life of the unborn at six months should only come with overwhelming pain relief , fortunately so does the medical profession and the legislation but that is just me being pedantic.
The links in the fact check are to academics or the Universities they are attached to, previous and new legislation or professional medical bodies in New Zealand, don’t know what qualifies as a pro-abortions site, one is to Dr Simon Snook who set up a vasectomy clinic not sure if that counts or not. Another links to a law firm which set up law regarding Doctor and other health practitioners.
Your last paragraph really just makes my point, I am not hard hearted or callous I understand that making the decision to have an abortion especially a late term abortions must be an incredibly hard thing to do. Articles like your original link play on those emotions but if you look into the story it is fairly mundane updating of legislation to make the law fit what is actual happening. As I said previously, I’ll leave it to the medical professional and medical association of New Zealand and the people of New Zealand to ensure those rules are interpreted and applied in the right way.

I'm very uneasy about abortion laws in general, but in particular, I find the way the pro-lobbies 'celebrate' it as if it is a positive thing particularly nauseating.

Agreed, and nauseating is a particularly appropriate word.

I remember watching that collection of mainly females celebrating the Irish abortion law change and being revolted at what they were celebrating.

Edited by Stirlingsays (05 Jan 2021 3.23pm)