Family First's Victorian Upper House candidates Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman have reaffirmed the Party's unwavering commitment to uphold the freedom of conscience rights of doctors, nurses and midwives who decline to participate in the killing of unborn babies.
Mr Finn — who also serves as President of Melbourne's March for the Babies, being held this Saturday — said yesterday's calls by Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell and Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions were "an outrageous assault on freedom of conscience and on the sanctity of human life."
"Politicians have no right to force doctors, nurses or midwives to violate their consciences and participate in abortions," Mr Finn said.
"There are already plenty of hospitals and clinics where staff are willing to perform abortions. Why should those who hold to their faith and their professional ethics be compelled to take part in something they believe to be wrong?"
Ms Foreman, a former nurse, said the push to end conscientious objection at publicly funded hospitals like Mercy for Women and Werribee Mercy was a direct attack on religious freedom and on institutions that have served Victorians for generations.
"Family First will always defend the right of health professionals to say no to taking an innocent life," she said.
"Freedom of conscience is a cornerstone of our democracy — not something the radical Left can cancel because they disagree."
Ms Foreman said Family First plans to field around 100 pro-family candidates at next year's election.
Mr Finn encouraged Victorians who care about protecting both human rights and the unborn to join this Saturday's March for the Babies at 1pm, starting at Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.
"Seventeen years after Labor's extreme abortion laws, we still march for the voiceless and stand for the doctors and nurses who refuse to be silenced," Mr Finn said.
"Now more than ever, Victorians must stand up for life and freedom."
