The renewed political debate about abortion laws in Australia has been condemned by Professor Margaret Alston, a leading social researcher at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

“The implied suggestion that women are somehow unable to make their own very painful decisions about terminating a pregnancy defies belief,” said Professor Alston.

“It’s a sad day when men feel compelled to legislate around women’s bodies. I had thought we had left these debates behind. It is very evident that we need to move on to more compelling national and global issues,” added Professor Alston.

Professor Alston also believes that women’s voices under the Howard Government have been dangerously muted demonstrated through the shifting of the Office of the Status of Women out of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Professor Alston’s research aims to highlight issues of concern to rural women and engage the community in inclusive debates.

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