The Carhart case and late-term abortions -- what's next in Australia?
A recent case in the United States Supreme Court has indicated a change in course on the issue of abortion rights. In Gonzales v Carhart 127 S Ct 1610 (2007), the Supreme Court, in April 2007, upheld federal legislation banning a particular late-term abortion procedure with no exceptions (even to preserve the mother's life). This column examines the case in the context of recent Australian cases involving abortion issues. It extrapolates from Carhart to consider the potential for the Australian High Court to disrupt access to safe, medically supervised and performed abortion.
Faunce
Thomas
T
ANU College of Law and Medical School.
Jefferys
Susannah
S
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012449:Safety; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014933:Women's Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence