The Report provides a mass of useful documentation as well as a wide range of recommendations that would improve the delivery of services. The Report quotes estimates that Australia had 23 legal abortions per 100 known pregnancies in 1990. In 1937 it was estimated that 1 in 3 known pregnancies were aborted. Hence there has been a big fall in the rate of abortions over time in Australia. This is exactly the opposite result to what was claimed for the effect of legal liberalisation.
International comparisons indicate that Australia's abortion rate is low.
The rate in the USA, for instance, is much higher. Even so the Report calculates that abortion affects a third of all Australian women during their reproductive years and hence a majority of families. There is a Great Australian Ignorance about the prevalence of abortion. We are all greatly indebted to the dedicated women who have written this report and to those whose earlier work made this report possible. The Report is still a draft consultation document.