The Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) today ended its application before the High Court to be heard as amicus curiae in the case of CES v Superclinics.
WEL sought to intervene in response to the acceptance by the Court of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference as amicus curiae. The case will not proceed as the parties have agreed to settle out of court.
"The ending of the High Court case confirms that the judgement of the NSW Court of appeal is the law on abortion in New South Wales," said Jo Wainer, spokesperson for WEL.
"This resolution of the law in New South Wales is an important victory for women. We now know that the law protects women's access to necessary abortion services.
"The law now requires doctors and others providing health care to women to treat this issue with the same diligence and duty of care as other medical procedures.
"We have come a long way from the time when health care providers could choose to dismiss or invalidate women's concerns about continuing a pregnancy.
"WEL thanks the Bishops for having brought this case to public attention."
For further comment, contact the WEL National Co-ordinator
Page created 11 October 1996; last updated 31 July 2000