Blogging for Choice

You know the first time I met the Lip gals was when I submitted an article to Lip on Pregnancy Counselling Australia – a misleading phone service run by Right to Life Australia. I wanted to let as many people know that should they ever need help, this was not the number to call.

It’s been over two years, and after petitioning Sensis, the people who make the White Pages, writing to every major political party, and liasing with other activists, this phone service still has its number at the front of every phone book in Australia.

Yet I am not deterred. Senator Stott Despoja has picked up the issue and in June 2005 introduced a private members bill in an attempt to promote transparency in pregnancy counselling providers. Greens Senator Kerry Nettle wrote to the ACCC chair, asking him to investigate whether some pregnancy counselling services are in breach of the Trade Practices Act. Even JJJ took a couple afternoons to discuss the issue.

I’ve also received heaps of emails from people asking me about other, mainly local, services whose credentials as counselling services seem sketchy. I’m going to consolidate a list of false providers for the next phase of my campaign and am liasing with Reproductive Choice Australia to have the list available to as many people as possible.

Reproductive Choice Australia has written a very comprehensive article on the issue of false providers – everyone should have a read – particularly as the Howard Government is funnelling money into such services.

We need to have accurate information if we’re to make valued choices.