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Source: Reuters -
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The Australians Greens have welcomed the federal government's decision to axe a ban that prohibits Australian foreign aid being used to support abortion overseas.
But the minor party will be moving an amendment in the Senate so that future government ministers cannot reinstate the ban.
"What we need to be seeing is the government move to ensure in legislation that these types of guidelines can never be implemented at the ideological whim of a minister," Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told reporters.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith had waited too long to lift the restrictions, she said, adding US President Barack Obama lifted similar restrictions during his first few days in office.
"For the last 12 months, as he's been waiting to lift these restrictions, he's been more than happy to allow the annual death of 175,000 women."
Mr Smith said the UN estimates that universal family planning could save the lives of as many as 175,000 women each year, adding about 68,000 women die annually as a result of unsafe abortions.
The ban was imposed by the Howard government in 1996 in a deal with former Tasmanian independent senator Brian Harradine.
Mr Smith announced the change on Tuesday after a government review and pressure from both Labor and coalition MPs.
Senator Hanson-Young said several Christian aid groups had supported the lifting of the ban.
Aid can now support the same range of family planning services for women in developing countries as are supported for women in Australia.
The policy will be subject to the national laws of overseas nations.
Australia will also provide additional funding of up to $15 million over four years through United Nations agencies and non-government organisations to help reduce maternal deaths.
