Johnsen Votes Against Legalising Abortion

By Taylah Fellows

“THIS law may be 119 years old, but you know what, just because they were all males back then doesn’t mean they were all stupid and doesn’t mean that they didn’t care,” the Hon., Michael Johnsen MP said.

With hands in his pockets, Michael Johnsen, Member for Upper Hunter addressed the New South Wales Parliament this week about his position on the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill, before voting against it. 

Michael Johnsen speaking in Parliament on the abortion bill. Image: NSW Parliament.

Mr Johnsen said he completely supports women in their choice to do what they feel is best at any given point in time, but he did not vote to decriminalise abortion for them.

“I believe the Crimes Act holds a framework with a set of protections to support women in being humans, supporting whatever decisions they make…I do not want to see those protections for females lost,” said Mr Johnsen.

Although Mr Johnsen acknowledged women’s right to make their own decisions depending on their individual situation, the MP voted against the Bill to legalise abortion.

“I can not in all consciousness bring myself to be able to vote against what most people believe in my electorate and in many other electorates, see as a basic human right, as a basic standard of which humans should apply themselves in this life,” said Mr Johnsen.

“I’ve had many people in my electorate contact me and the vast majority, I’ve estimated about 85-90 per cent in that range, are urging me to not vote for this particular bill…I will represent the views of the vast majority of my electorate and therefore will not be voting for this bill,” he said.

Speaking from personal experience, the MP talked about how his own biological mother chose adoption over abortion.

“I know that I’m not the only person in this parliament who was adopted and I know others in this world have been given the opportunity to live,” said Mr Johnsen.

“And how many others may be in the same position as I have, how many others may have been given the opportunity through adoption as opposed to abortion, to be able to experience the wonders of life?” he said.

The MP defended the legitimacy of current reproduction law in modern times.

“The reason why there are certain protections in the Crimes Act is because there are people out there who do terrible things,” said Mr Johnsen.

“There have been some horrific circumstances where doctors have done the wrong thing and have been prosecuted since under that legislation,” he said.

“I want that ability to remain for women to say ‘you know what, I’ve gone through those circumstances which are extremely difficult to get to, I’ve made my choices, I’m here, this is what I’ve done, I trusted you and you did the wrong thing,” Michael Johnsen, MP said. 

“If the woman goes through all of that and she places her intimate trust in a doctor to be able to do the right thing and support her in her decisions and that person does the wrong thing, they should be held accountable,” he said.