A young woman in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, faces seven years imprisonment for allegedly terminating a pregnancy while her partner faces three years imprisonment for providing the abortion drug allegedly used for the termination.

It is the first time for at least 50 years that a woman has been charged in Australia for having an abortion. These charges are brought under laws that should not even exist. Abortion should not be a crime: it should be recognised as a woman's right to control her own body.

We demand that all charges against the couple be dropped and that all laws against abortion be repealed from the Queensland Criminal Code.

This online petition is a supplement to paper petitions on the issue being circulated internationally.

For more information, contact Radical Women, PO Box 308, Brunswick VIC 3056. Phone 03 9388 0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au. In the U.S., please contact Radical Women, www.RadicalWomen.org, RadicalWomenUS@gmail.com.

We the undersigned draw to the attention of the House the charges brought against a young Cairns couple under the anti-abortion provisions in the QLD Criminal Code.

A young woman faces seven years imprisonment for allegedly terminating a pregnancy while her partner faces three years imprisonment for providing the abortion drug allegedly used for the termination. It is the first time for at least 50 years that a
woman has been charged in Australia for having an abortion. These charges are brought under laws that should not even exist. Abortion should not be a crime:it should be recognised as a woman's right to control her own body.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to intervene immediately to have the charges against the Cairns couple dropped.

Furthermore we request that the House repeal the anti-abortion laws (sections 224, 225 and 226) from the QLD Criminal Code.