Compared to other states, Victoria has led the way in making abortion, whether early on in pregnancy or “late term”, available for women.

One of the most controversial aspects of the laws which were brought in in 2008 affects doctors who don’t want to facilitate an abortion. Under Victorian law, a doctor who has a conscientious objection to providing abortion information must refer a woman wanting an abortion to another doctor who will provide it.

It’s proved difficult for Christian doctors who feel their conscience isn’t clear referring a woman on to another doctor who will facilitate an abortion. Last year we reported on Dr Mark Hobart, a Christian GP who is being investigated by the Medical Board of Victoria for refusing to refer on a couple who wanted an abortion on gender selection grounds.

His case has sparked a number of petitions by concerned doctors and members of the public. Family Voice Australia has presented a series of open letters from the public to the Premier Dennis Napthine. Doctors in Conscience is also running a petition against the law.

One petition which has really taken off was started by Melbourne Christian, Mark Allison, on change.org.

“The petition was sparked by the situation surrounding Dr Hobart,” says Marc. “His career is in doubt because of his position and what he did. It’s [the petition] been going for a while now but I’m not ready to hand it over yet.

“I want to present it when it’s right, when it has maximum impact. I’m not a political commentator nor a political expert, but whenever it’s right for the issue, cos you only get one shot at presenting the signatures.”

At time of publication, the online petition has 5363 signatures. Marc is encouraging people across Australia, not just Victoria, to get on board, because it’s not an isolated issue.

“The way that this issue seems to be working is that if it happens in one state, then maybe others will follow, so whilst it might not affect them directly at the moment, it might in time.”

Beyond signing a petition, though, Marc wants to see more Christians supporting single mothers.

“It’s not just about the life of the baby, but genuinely supporting mothers. A practical thing to do beyond all this political stuff is to support programmes like the Babes Project which support vulnerable pregnant mothers.”

“There’s not been a happy history of the church supporting single mothers and I’d love for that culture to change.”

Sign the Change.org petition. You can also check out the Babes Project.