It is no doubt that the abortion pill RU486 should be made available to Australian women. The drug RU486 is a synthetic steroid that works to induce a medical abortion. Also know as mifepristone, the drug blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which is essential in sustaining a pregnancy. On January 13th 2006 a Newspoll survey conducted and commissioned by the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance revealed that a majority of Australians - 70% of women and 66% of men - support the availability of RU486. Women have the right to availability of best medical practice and the best practice include the availability of mifepristone, an alternative that should be given to us.

Medical evidence in favour of mifepristone has increased and currently there are no longer significant concerns about the safety of RU486. Dr Chris Bayly, the director of women's services at the Royal Women's Hospital, claims that research has...