Muldoon Veto To Waring Bid (Press, 13 October 1977)

On 13 October 1977, Prime Minister Mr Muldoon blocked Miss Marilyn Waring's attempt to present six documents in Parliament that supported the proposed Gair amendment to the abortion bill. This occurred during the second-reading debate on the bill, which extended into the early hours, with Miss Waring seeking permission to table the documents at approximately 1.45 a.m. When the Acting Speaker, Mr J. R. Harrison, inquired if there were any objections to her request, Mr Muldoon was the only parliamentary member to object. Miss Waring aimed to table a document from Dr D. F. Minnitt, the chairman of the General Practitioners’ Society, which represented 500 general practitioners and expressed support for Mr Gate’s amendment. Additionally, she referred to a telegram from Dr Minnitt that described a proposed amendment by Mr W. F. Birch, which allowed for abortion decisions to be made by two certifying consultants, viewing it as a poorly disguised rendition of the panel system. Furthermore, she mentioned a telegram from the national executive of the Women’s Medical Association, which opposed the Birch amendment while endorsing the Gair amendment. Miss Waring also attempted to submit three statutory declarations from 60 obstetricians and gynaecologists, 41 of whom felt unable or unwilling to act as certifying consultants. During the debate, various members expressed their viewpoints on the abortion bill. Mr R. F. Walls, a National member from Dunedin North, conveyed his belief in the integrity of the medical profession and the average New Zealander, stating that he would support the Gair amendment. Conversely, Mr M. A. Connelly, a Labour member from Wigram, voiced his strong belief in the right to life of the unborn child and stated his intention to vote for the Birch amendment. The Minister of Social Welfare, Mr Walker, also aligned with the Birch amendment and indicated his agreement with the bill in its current form. On the other hand, Mr M. Rata, a Labour member representing Northern Maori, spoke against the Gair amendment and the panel system, asserting that abortion should be viewed as a last resort under defined circumstances within the law. Mr M. J. Minogue, a National member from Hamilton West, was the final speaker before the session concluded after 2 a.m. He criticized the bill as a confusing collection of topics, including abortion and sex education, warning that passing it in its current form would signify a failure of Parliament to fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He expressed concern that democracy was deteriorating, highlighting a sentiment that the panel system would not function effectively.

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