Fed: Abbott says he thinks abortion pill vote will pass house

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2006
Fed: Abbott says he thinks abortion pill vote will pass house

SYDNEY, Feb 10 AAP - Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said he expects a bill stripping
him of his powers over the abortion drug RU486 will pass the House of Representatives.

After two days of personal stories and a rare conscience vote, senators yesterday supported
a private members' bill - 45 to 28 - transferring the minister's powers to experts at
the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Now for the bill to become law - overturning an effective ban on RU486 - it must be
passed by the House of Representatives.

"I certainly think that there is every chance the private members bill will be approved
in the House of Representatives," Mr Abbott today told reporters in Sydney.

"I will counsel my House of Representatives colleagues to think long and hard before
they follow the example of the senate."

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KEYWORD: ABORTION ABBOTT

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