Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health on the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill [B 72—2003] (National Assembly—sec 76), dated 10 August 2004:

The Portfolio Committee on Health, having considered the subject of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill [B 72—2003] (National Assembly—sec 76), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill, reports the Bill with amendments [B 72A—2003].

The Committee further reports that the ACDP opposed the Bill, proposed that the entire Bill be rejected and called for a review of the principal Act.

The ACDP was concerned about the fact that the Bill states that no major financial implications for the State are expected. The ACDP contended that there must be a significant rise in costs if the service is in fact in demand, otherwise there would be no need for this

amendment. The anticipated increased access to abortion would result in a significant rise in costs, which would be detrimental to the health budget, as valuable resources would be allocated to non-core objectives.