Labor has slammed US President Donald Trump's decision to reinstate the anti-abortion global gag rule, calling on the Turnbull government to lobby the new administration to ditch the "dangerous and damaging" policy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In one of his first official acts as president Mr Trump – surrounded by eight male staffers – signed an executive order to reinstate the policy that blocks US funding to foreign organisations that perform or give advice on abortions.
The decision has been widely condemned by women's groups and NGOs – and now the federal opposition has joined them.
In a rare intervention into US policy from a senior Australian politician, deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said her party is "deeply concerned" about the move "that could cost the lives of women in developing countries".
The rule will drastically reduce the availability of voluntary family planning services, HIV programs and maternal and child health programs including fistula and midwifery services in some of the world's poorest countries.
"Restrictions on women's reproductive choices and censorship of health advice will lead to more unplanned pregnancies, worse health outcomes for women and children, and the deaths of many women as a result of unsafe abortions," Ms Plibersek said in a statement with Labor's aid spokeswoman Claire Moore.
"The health of many women in developing countries will be directly and adversely affected by this decision.
"Labor calls on the Turnbull government to lobby for the repeal of this damaging and dangerous policy and immediately rule out any move to reinstate the Howard-era restrictions on Australian aid for reproductive health services."
Labor repealed similar Howard government restrictions after it won government in 2007.
A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government "remains committed to the protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights on our foreign policy and aid program".
"The Foreign Minister has elevated the issue of gender equality in our foreign policy and aid program," she said.
"Access to sexual and reproductive health, particularly family planning, remains critical to women's empowerment, improving gender equality and reducing maternal and child mortality."
Since its inception, the global gag order has been repealed and reinstated with each change of power in the White House.
Estimates suggest US funding currently helps up to 27 million women worldwide access contraception and advice on reproductive health.
