29 September 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALRANZ DISMAYED AT ANTI-STUDENT UNION RECOMMENDATION
The Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) is deeply
dismayed at the recent recommendation of the Education and Science
Select Committee to adopt the Education (Freedom of Association)
Amendment Bill.
As a pro-choice organisation, ALRANZ has collaborated and worked with
student associations throughout the years. Together with Victoria
University associations like, Salient, Victoria University of
Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) Women’s Group, Auckland
University Feminist Collective and the new pro-choice group, Action
for Abortion Rights, we have sought to bring awareness and change to
the issue of reproductive justice in New Zealand.
“It is vital that the myriad groups on campus fighting for things like
women’s reproductive rights are encouraged to thrive in the tertiary
sector,” ALRANZ’s National Secretary Morgan Healey said today. “But
under this bill, they are likely to be strangled.”
“Had it not been for the students desire to become involved, important
steps toward raising awareness of the need for new abortion laws would
have been missed out on. Collectively these groups have sought to
highlight the quotidian plight that women face when they try to access
abortion services in New Zealand. More than that however, these
vibrant and energetic women and men have brought a new perspective and
invigoration to the reproductive rights/abortion movement. Something
that has been missing for some years, “ stated Healey.
ALRANZ believes that this Bill will only serve to diminish the voices
of these students. The organisation calls on the Government and all
Members of Parliament to consider the impact this legislation will
have on the viability of student associations nationally and the
contributions these associations make to their communities.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Morgan Healey
ALRANZ National Secretary