Tag Archives: oceania

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Thousands descend on Australian cities in protest of US ruling

Tens of thousands of people have descended on major cities across Australia to demand access to safe abortions for millions of people in the US.

Despite heavy rain sweeping across the nation's east coast, wreaking havoc in Sydney particularly, protesters turned up in solidarity for millions affected by the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

The ruling ended constitutional protections for safe and legal abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years.

READ MORE: Online abortion pill interest soars after the demise of Roe v Wade

Tens of thousands of people have descended on major cities across Australia to demand access to safe abortions for millions of US people.Rallies have been held across the country in cities including Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Wollongong.

Rallies have been held across the country in cities including Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Wollongong.

A group of pro-abortion protesters were present at the Melbourne protest, however police were called in to separate the two causes.

READ MORE: Seeking parole, former athlete Pistorius meets with girlfriend's father

The demonstrations also have a local focus, seeking to expand access to abortion here in Australia.https://twitter.com/LanaMurphy/status/1543091334411882496

The demonstrations also have a local focus, seeking to expand access to abortion here in Australia.

Geography plays a major part in accessibility for people in other parts of the country.

In states such as Western Australia, abortions are permitted on request with a referral from a doctor up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

This is subject to counselling by a medical practitioner other than the one performing the abortion, or when the woman may face serious consequences if an abortion is not performed.

After 20 weeks of pregnancy abortions are only allowed to be performed if the fetus is likely to be born with severe medical problems, and this must be confirmed by two independently appointed doctors.

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'Be ready to evacuate': Residents warned 'worst yet to come'

New South Wales residents have been warned to "be ready to evacuate" as intense rainfall continues to wreak havoc across the state, prompting flash floods and major dams to overflow.

Authorities said on Saturday afternoon that it may be some time before the dangerous conditions ease, with the "worst yet to come".

The downpour currently stretches from Port Stevens in the north to Batemans Bay in the south and everywhere in between. 

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Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the SES has responded to some 240 requests for assistance since 6am this morning.

She said residents in affected areas should remain on alert as the freak conditions are expected to worsen throughout the afternoon and evening.

"My message to everyone today is if you have not yet been impacted by rainfall, don't think you have been spared," Cooke said.

"We may not have seen the worst of it yet.

"There is a very real threat of an east coast low developing into Sunday. This could result in torrential rain, in flash flooding, damaging winds and coastal erosion, making our coastline and our cities very dangerous places to be in."

Cooke said given the "already record rainfall" the state has experienced this year, the ground still remains saturated.

"Our entire landscape, in fact, almost right across NSW, is saturated at this time," she said.

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"And of course our dams and river channels are also full."

"So, in addition to flash flooding, there is a very real risk of riverine flooding occurring over the days ahead."

Cooke said "this could occur anywhere from Newcastle down to Jarvis Bay", with the river system "of most concern" at the Hawkesbury-Nepean.

"It may reach major flood level overnight," she said.

Authorities have also raised concern over Warragamba Dam, which could see significant spillage over the coming days.

As of 4pm this afternoon, The Upper Nepean, Avon and Cordeaux Dams have reported spillage.

"We are all nervously waiting to see what eventuates," Cooke said.

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https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1543042152216887298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Helicopters, unimogs and other assets have been placed to ensure they can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

"Please keep an eye on the watches and the warnings and the orders that are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, the SES and other emergency services organisations as the hours and days unfold," Cooke said.

"Please be ready to evacuate at short notice. 

https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1543081497527308288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"Please ensure that you prepare your properties as best you can, please prepare your families and your pets if necessary and if in any doubt please evacuate early.

"Don't necessarily wait for us to put out an order, asking or suggesting that you leave."

River ferries have been scrapped between Parramatta and Rydalmere due to the weir overflowing. Alternative transport is being provided but authorities have urged commuters to allow extra travel time.

Meanwhile, Queensland will see up to 25 millimetres of rain over the weekend before conditions ease temporarily.

The weather system may pick up again on Monday bringing further wet weather.

NSW warnings will be published here, while Queenslanders can keep across updates here.