Couple to face abortion trial (Australia)

[Heidi]

September 11, 2009 10:26am

A CAIRNS couple who allegedly used illegally imported pills to terminate a pregnancy will face trial in the District Court.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson found there was sufficient evidence for a jury to conclude that Tegan Simone Leach, 19, and partner Sergie Brennan, 21, had illegally taken action to terminate a pregnancy.

Leach is charged with procuring her own abortion, an offence which carries a maximum seven-year jail term.

Brennan is accused of supplying Leach with drugs to cause an abortion.

<snip>

As the magistrate adjourned the court the couple stood up, held hands and gave each other a kiss.

Leach and Brennan will face a District Court trial at a date to be fixed.

Read more

[frebrd]

1. That surprises me....

I never knew Australia was so backward.

[Heidi]

2. I believe abortion is an issue of state law, not national law, in Australia.

It seems the abortion law in Queensland, where Cairns is located, is much more prohibative than, say, New South Wales where the Levine ruling is followed. :hi:

[NotThisTime]

3. They're not, it's an extremely common practice there - which is why you get an incentive if you have

an Australian child.... they actually provide you with a 1 or 2K stipend upon their birth... I was shocked when my friend told me this as she's Australian