Dr. Máire Milner:

As I have already said this afternoon, I feel the legislation is appropriate to our practice and our patients. I await the contributions to be made by our colleague psychiatrists next week. I do not believe this will lead to liberal abortion. This specifically relates to instances where the life of the mother is at risk. As I have said, our psychiatric colleagues may elucidate the area of suicidal ideation to a better degree.

Senator Bradford asked whether this is a change in law or in practice. Clearly, a change in law is being proposed. Will it lead to a change in our practice? I have spoken already this afternoon about clarity and trying to protect doctors in uncertain situations where there is uncertainty about whether a woman will survive in the rare instance of potentially terminating the pregnancy so that her life may be spared. I was asked whether that will change my practice. It will afford me a degree of protection and comfort and it will give rise to an improved situation for our patients.