Labor is concerned by the Morrison Governments refusal to sign the UN International Womens Day Statement.
57 countries including the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan backed the call to help "remedy the accountability deficit in human rights violations of women and girls", including barriers to reproductive rights.
However, Australia withheld support for the statement that called on member states to respect women's and girls' "right to bodily autonomy", including guaranteed universal protection of sexual and reproductive health, comprehensive sexual education and access to safe abortion.
Labor is concerned by reports that the Morrison Government withheld Australias support because the statement explicitly calls for universal protection of womens sexual and reproductive health, including access to safe abortion. Scott Morrison should explain why his Government refused to support this.
Labor believes reproductive choice and access to basic health care are fundamental rights.
This is why Labor last week announced a comprehensive national policy to enable Australian women to access legal, safe, affordable reproductive health services when and where they need them.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.