Fed: Labor slams PM Howard over IVF challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2000
Fed: Labor slams PM Howard over IVF challenge

Labor has slammed Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD'S move to amend sex discrimination legislation
to allow for a ban on single women and lesbians accessing IVF programs.

Labor's health spokeswoman JENNY MACKLIN says such a decision would water down one
of the most basic human rights for women.

The move follows a court decision that Victoria's ban on single women accessing IVF
programs breaches the federal sex discrimination act.

Ms MACKLIN says the prime minister's move is an assault on women's rights that will
lead to different rights for women in different states.

She says these fundamental human rights should apply right across the country.

Rejecting MR HOWARD'S justification for the challenge that all children have the right
to a father and a mother, she says the most important thing for children is to be wanted.

AAP RTV ss/wz/jn

KEYWORD: IVF MACKLIN (HOBART)

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