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Victorian politician says rape is no justification for abortion Victorian politician Bernie Finn says rape is no justification for abortion
(5 months later)
A Victorian politician has said there is “no acceptable reason” for abortion, and claimed that rapists and paedophiles used it to get rid of the evidence of their crimes.A Victorian politician has said there is “no acceptable reason” for abortion, and claimed that rapists and paedophiles used it to get rid of the evidence of their crimes.
Bernie Finn, the Liberal upper house member for the Western Metropolitan Region, told the Werribee, Hopper Crossing and Point Cook Star that rape was not an acceptable circumstance to justify abortion.Bernie Finn, the Liberal upper house member for the Western Metropolitan Region, told the Werribee, Hopper Crossing and Point Cook Star that rape was not an acceptable circumstance to justify abortion.
“In this day and age, no, I don’t think there is any acceptable reason for having an abortion,” Finn said.“In this day and age, no, I don’t think there is any acceptable reason for having an abortion,” Finn said.
“In years gone by when they needed to kill the baby to save the mother then it might have been acceptable, but in today’s world I think that’s a very 1950s argument.”“In years gone by when they needed to kill the baby to save the mother then it might have been acceptable, but in today’s world I think that’s a very 1950s argument.”
Finn said he thought “many rapists and particularly paedophiles use abortion as a defence, they use it as a way to destroy the evidence”.Finn said he thought “many rapists and particularly paedophiles use abortion as a defence, they use it as a way to destroy the evidence”.
Guardian Australia asked Finn what data or research he based this claim on, but received no answer.Guardian Australia asked Finn what data or research he based this claim on, but received no answer.
Finn told the Star a number of rape victims he had spoken to had told him having an abortion was like being raped for a second time.Finn told the Star a number of rape victims he had spoken to had told him having an abortion was like being raped for a second time.
“I don’t think abortion is acceptable under any circumstances and I don’t see why we should be killing babies for the crime of the father.”“I don’t think abortion is acceptable under any circumstances and I don’t see why we should be killing babies for the crime of the father.”
The Victorian premier, Dennis Napthine, rejected Finn’s comments, telling reporters he thought the remarks were “inappropriate”.The Victorian premier, Dennis Napthine, rejected Finn’s comments, telling reporters he thought the remarks were “inappropriate”.
“I totally disagree with Bernie Finn’s comments,” Napthine said.“I totally disagree with Bernie Finn’s comments,” Napthine said.
“We’ve had a debate on abortion in the Victorian parliament where people according to their conscience voted, and that issue was settled through that process. I as premier and my government will not be introducing any legislation to change that.”“We’ve had a debate on abortion in the Victorian parliament where people according to their conscience voted, and that issue was settled through that process. I as premier and my government will not be introducing any legislation to change that.”
Abortion was decriminalised in Victoria in 2008.Abortion was decriminalised in Victoria in 2008.
But the MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power, is hoping his private member’s bill to repeal legislation compelling doctors who object to abortions to provide a secondary referral will go before parliament this year. Shaw quit the parliamentary branch of the Liberal party last year and resigned officially from the party last week.But the MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power, is hoping his private member’s bill to repeal legislation compelling doctors who object to abortions to provide a secondary referral will go before parliament this year. Shaw quit the parliamentary branch of the Liberal party last year and resigned officially from the party last week.
Finn is also the organiser of an annual march against abortion.Finn is also the organiser of an annual march against abortion.
He did not respond to questions by deadline.He did not respond to questions by deadline.