1. In 2005 Australia estimated 83 210 induced abortions were performed, with women aged 0-19 years.
2. About a third of all Australian women will have an abortion. This represents about one-in four pregnancies.
3. Various studies show about 97% of all abortions are performed for psychosocial reasons, including half of late-term abortions (after 20 weeks gestation)
4. Less than 3% of abortions are performed because the child has a disability.
5. Late-term abortions are available in all States and Territories expect NSW and Queensland
6. 60% of women were using at least one form of contraception at the time of their pregnancy
7. The majority of women and girls who have abortions do so because of lack support from partners, parents and friends. 70% of women say they felt they had no alternative to abortion
8. International research shows women will still seek abortion, even if illegal
9. 32% of women who have abortions are married or in de-facto relationship
10. Abortion not only ends the life of a child (the foetal heartbeat is detected 22 days from conception), but often leaves a woman and others deeply wounded, affecting existing and future relationships
11. Women of any age, including teenage girls, do not require parental permission to have an abortion
12. Less than 1% of abortions are performed on women who are the victims of rape. One extensive study of women who conceived as a result of sexual assault showed nearly all the women regretted their decision to abort. Those who continued their pregnancies were glad they did.
13. The reason we use the term “estimated 80,000 children are aborted” is because no precise figures are kept on abortion in Australia. The three most populous States, NSW, Victoria, and Queensland do not keep any statistics on abortion, and only one State, South Australia, publishes figures on abortion. National figures are estimated from South Australian, Western Australian and Northern Territory figures and from Medicare rebates paid to private patients.
14. Australia is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures in Australia
15. Australia’s abortion rate is reasonably low by international standards