RU 486 - Vote in Australian Federal Parliament

UPDATE: The Senate and House of Representatives have voted FOR the "Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005". The Bill removed responsibility for the approval of RU 486 from the Health Minister and the Parliament and gave it to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

17 Feb 2006 - Details on the RU 486 VOTE

Some details on the debate and vote on the "Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005".
Even though the final Bill was passed 'on the voices' (see below), a Second Reading vote was taken on the intention of the members regarding the Bill.

We are disappointed that a final division and counted vote was not called on the Bill.
However, the Second Reading vote gives the general intention of the member's vote on the Bill.

There may have been some Members who voted for the Bill in the Second Reading and then voted for the Laming amendment who might then have decided to vote against the total Bill itself in the third reading. Since a final vote was not counted we cannot definitively say who supported the final Bill - although there were only six more MPs who voted for the Laming amendment than the number who had voted against the Bill.

Jackie Kelly's amendment
Following the debate on the Bill itself, the amendment sponsored by Jackie Kelly, which would have given the veto on the drug to the whole Parliament instead of the Health Minister was considered.
This was defeated by 96 votes to 49.

Second reading vote
A vote was then taken on the second reading of the Bill.
This was 95 in favour, 50 against.
This gives the intention of the members regarding the actual Bill.

Andrew Laming's amendment
Following the Second Reading vote, the amendment proposed by Andrew Laming was considered. This would have given the responsibility to the TGA but given the parliament the right to veto the TGA decision.
This amendment lost by a vote of 90 to 56.

Third Reading
The Bill then went to a third and final reading and vote. No count of the vote was taken on the Third Reading. The Bill was passed 'on the voices' since no one called for a division.

Voting on the Bill and Amendments

For a list of how all MPs voted on each of the amendments - and most importantly on the Second Reading, see the Hansard. Click here.
This is a pdf document.
For the relevant three votes and lists of MPs, refer to the numbered (not actual) pages of the document.
Jackie Kelly amendment - Page 34
Second reading - Pages 34-35
Andrew Laming amendment - Pages 40-41
Third Reading - Page 41

For your convenience the details on all these votes have been placed in a Word document and attached below .

16 Feb 2006 - RU 486 VOTE RESULT

The House of Representatives has voted today in favour of the Bill to hand over the responsibility for considering and approving RU 486 to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, thus removing the responsibility from the Health Minister and the Parliament.

Two amendments were put up... One of these amendments, proposed by Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming was voted down by 90 votes to 56. It would have given the authority to the TGA but given the Parliament the power to veto their decision. Earlier an amendment by Liberal Jackie Kelly was defeated.

NO VOTE was taken. The Bill was passed "on the voices" since no one called for a division which would have meant MPs declaring their vote.
Given that this was a conscience vote that had generated intense debate, the vote should have been recorded so constituents knew how their MP voted.
We are disappointed that the Parliament has voted this way.
Thank you to all those who contacted their MPs on this important issue.
Congratulations to all the MPs who spoke against the Bill and proposed amendments.

Media articles:
Controversial bill passes, The Age , February 16, 2006

Medical groups applaud passing of pill bill, The Age , February 17, 2006

______________________________________________

14 Feb 2006
The Senate debated and voted on the RU 486 Bill on Thursday 9 February.
They voted 45 to 28 in support of taking the responsibility for approving the use of the abortifacient drug RU 486 from the Health Minister and giving it to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Debate is now being held in the House of Representatives
- with a vote due on Thursday 16 February.
We urge everyone to contact their local MP and ask them to vote against the Bill.

ACTION Needed
1. Contact your federal Member of the House of Representatives.
Click here for information.

2. Reasons for opposing the Bill.
* RU 486 is NOT a therapeutic drug. It does not it fit the definition of 'therapeutic' in the Act.
* This is a dangerous drug being used to kill and should therefore be monitored by the Parliament NOT a bureaucratic organisation. The decision to allow or not allow the use of RU 486 should lie with the Parliament.
* As well as killing the baby, RU 486 is a dangerous drug for women. Eleven women have died from using it. The drug causes severe bleeding and infection as well and can have long-term adverse consequences on women.
Using this drug means that women go home after taking it and the baby dies at home. The the woman must return to the doctor for a second drug that causes the baby's body to be expelled, along with heavy bleeding etc over the next 10 days - whilst she is at home!.
The woman has to discern WHEN her symptoms go from 'normal' to 'dangerous'.
After 14 days, the woman must return to check the procedure is complete. If not (as in around 10% of cases) she must have a surgical abortion.
See the FDA patient Information Sheet below...

See these sources for more information:
1. Article from our November 2005 Journal on RU 486 (see below.)

2. The RU-486 Files.... click here.

3. The US Food and Drug Administration Patient Information Sheet
Mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex) or RU 486. Click here.
Click here for the FDA Medication Guide.

4. RU-486 Has Killed Ten Women by John Wilke, on Life Issues...
This documents the deaths from RU 486. Click here.

5. Analysis of Severe Adverse Events Related to the Use of Mifepristone as an Abortifacient
Authoritative Journal article: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, February 2006.
This study analyses 637 'Adverse Event Reports' of 607 unique events relating to the use of RU 486. Click here for the study. (7 pages)

6. Abortion Drug Adverse Events Reported
Friday, December 30, 2005, Web MD By Salynn Boyles.
News report from Web MD about the above study. Click here.

7. Abortion Pill Slow to Gain Popularity and Over $400 of Profit PER Pill
Article with comment from Christian Medical Association.
Click here.

7. Ken Glasgow's website with lots of links about RU 486...
Click here.
__________________________________

9 February - Senate Committee Inquiry

The Senate Community Affairs Committee published their report into the approval process for the abortion drug RU 486 on Wednesday 8 February.
The report is now available on the Committee website - click here.

December 2005

Senate Inquiry into RU 486

The Senate has ordered an Inquiry into the procedures surrounding the approval of the drug RU 486 in Australia. The Community Affairs Committee is conducting the Inquiry.
The Committee's website says "The purpose of the "Inquiry into Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005" is to remove responsibility for approval for RU486 from the Minister for Health and Ageing and to provide responsibility for approval of RU486 to the Therapeutic Goods Administration."

RU 486 is primarily used as a drug that causes abortion (though it can be used for cancer treatments). We oppose this move, saying that the responsibility should remain with the Health Minister. RU-486 has serious consequences and should be monitored by the Parliament, especially since it can be used for abortions.

Submissions invited!
Everyone is encouraged to make a Submission to this Inquiry.
It can be short, and should be expressed in your own words.
Please send your letter or submission by 16 January 2006.

The Senate has called for the Inquiry because four Senators have sponsored a Private Member's Bill, called the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005.

These Senators want the drug to be able to be used for abortion, claiming that rural women need more access to abortions.

RU 486 is a drug that is used in some overseas countries for abortions in conjunction with a second drug that causes the tiny baby's body to be expelled. The US Federal Drug Administration recently upgraded their advice warnings on the drug, noting that five women had died from the drug in the US, that serious complications such as bleeding and infection can occur and that three doctor's visits are needed. In fact 10 women have died from complications from RU 486. See source 4 below.

Currently RU 486 is not used for abortions in Australia. In 1996 an amendment to the Therapeutic Goods Act was passed, which means that any doctor who wishes to use the drug in Australia must apply to the Health Minister for his approval.

The inquiry, and the proposed Bill, call for a change in that process - they want to repeal the section that says the Health Minister must give approval and hand over that role to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The Committee's website says "The purpose of the "Inquiry into Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005" is to remove responsibility for approval for RU486 from the Minister for Health and Ageing and to provide responsibility for approval of RU486 to the Therapeutic Goods Administration."

Information relating to the Committee's Inquiry, documents relating to the Bill, the Explanatory Memorandum, second reading speech and extracts from the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 that are proposed to be repealed by the Bill are on the Committee website:

Click here.

Submissions...
Submissions close on 16 January and the Committee has to report to the Senate by 8 February 2006.

PLEASE write submissions/letters in your own words.

It is important to remember to focus on reasons for asking that the decision remain with the Health Minister and not just the reasons why RU 486 is undesirable. This is not an inquiry into whether RU 486 should be allowed for abortions - rather it focuses on who authorises its use. It is important, for instance, to note that Parliament should scrutinise decisions relating to harmful substances.

The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document - email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
otherwise by fax (number 02 6277 5829).

The Committee has scheduled public hearings for 15 December 2005, 3 and 6 February 2006.

Some submissions have already been lodged.
Submissions 1, 2 and 5 are all opposed to the Bill, as we are. Read them for ideas......
Click here for the website.

Bill in Parliament for a VOTE
The Bill is expected to go to Parliament early in 2006. Coalition MPs are expected to be given a conscience vote - so it is important to write to your federal MPs and 12 Senators... and the Prime Minister and Cabinet members.
See details under Take Action - Parliaments/MPs.

Some sources:

1. Article from our November 2005 Journal on RU 486 (see below.)

2. The RU-486 Files.... click here.

3. The US Food and Drug Administration Patient Information Sheet
Mifepristone (marketed as Mifeprex) or RU 486. Click here.

4. RU-486 Has Killed Ten Women by John Wilke, on Life Issues...
This documents the deaths from RU 486. Click here.

5. Analysis of Severe Adverse Events Related to the Use of Mifepristone as an Abortifacient
Authoritative Journal article: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, February 2006.
This study analyses 637 'Adverse Event Reports' of 607 unique events relating to the use of RU 486. Click here for the study. (7 pages)

6. Abortion Drug Adverse Events Reported
Friday, December 30, 2005, Web MD By Salynn Boyles.
News report from Web MD about the above study. Click here.

7. Abortion Pill Slow to Gain Popularity and Over $400 of Profit PER Pill
Article with comment from Christian Medical Association.
Click here.

7. Ken Glasgow's website with lots of links about RU 486...
Click here.