A women's leadership group opposed to abortion has accused Greens MLC Tammy Franks and an Adelaide media outlet of "wilfully mischaracterising" an event it held over the weekend as an "anti-abortion rally".
The Enid Lyons List is a new organisation aimed at preparing young women to take office and advocate for the protection of human life.
It had planned a youth training day on Saturday, which event organisers described as a "safe space" for women aged between 16 and 35.
But co-convenor Joanna Howe said the event's location had to be changed at the last minute to protect attendees after the organisation "received hate mail, including serious threats of violence and intimidation".
"The day before the event the media and pro-abortion activists, including Greens MP Tammy Franks, wilfully mischaracterised it," she said.
Dr Howe accused Ms Franks of referring to the training day as an "anti-abortion rally" when she addressed thousands of pro-choice activists at a rally in Adelaide's CBD on Friday night.
The Enid Lyons List also "called out" the Advertiser over an article in which it too called the event an anti-abortion rally.
"It's disappointing that Tammy Franks and some elements of the media chose to endanger the safety of young women wanting to engage in dialogue about women's rights and representation," Dr Howe said.
"The first time we heard from the Advertiser was in the afternoon the following day [after the article was published], and that's just appalling."
The Advertiser has been contacted for comment.
Ms Franks denies she 'endangered' young women
Ms Franks denied allegations that she endangered young women, and said she also wanted to see "respectful debate" around the issue of abortion.
"I would note that for over a year I received death threats, my staff and I received rape threats, over our advocacy for the decriminalisation of abortion," she said.
Ms Franks added she "categorically did not" refer to the full-day workshop as an "anti-abortion rally".
"If they have a problem with those words, then they need to reflect on their actions."
The group's Facebook event page described the event as an opportunity to "discuss and seek solutions to the critical issues and challenges that confront us as we face the most pro-abortion laws in Australia's history".
"We need to activate a new generation to rise up and fight for the human rights of the unborn," the post said.
The group also advertised the attendance of "pro-life MPs" such as Liberal Opposition Leader David Speirs, Labor's Clare Scriven and SA Best's Frank Pangallo.
Mr Speirs did not end up attending the event.
Abortion a 'nuanced issue'
On Thursday, South Australia will become the last state in the country to decriminalise abortion, 16 months after the reforms were passed by the state parliament.
The bill allows late-term abortions — defined as after 22 weeks and six days — to occur when deemed "medically appropriate" by two medical practitioners.
Dr Howe said abortion was a "very complex and nuanced issue" that deserved thorough consideration.
"Enid Lyons List wants to inform young women about the reality of South Australia’s abortion-to-birth laws," she said.
"A nuanced and informed conversation is important. Australia does have the most extreme abortion laws of its history, and we think it does a disservice to women to shut down the conversation.
"We should be allowed to wade through these difficult ethical discussions and respect the fact that we don't all agree."
When asked if the organisation opposed all abortion or just late-term abortion, Dr Howe did not comment.
Opposition Leader also under fire
On Saturday, Mr Speirs accused female journalists of "perpetuating hatred" over questions about his scheduled attendance at the training day, when one referred to it as a "protest".
"This is a leadership workshop for young women," he told reporters.
"To characterise them having a particular view as a protest is perpetuating hatred … and threats of violence against young women in this state."
Mr Speirs said he supported the decriminalisation of abortion but had concerns about late-term abortion and was "quite within my rights" to have that view.
Ms Franks said she'd "never seen such an extraordinary dummy spit from a person who leads a political party in this state".
"David Speirs was the one I had in my sights on Friday night, and it was his political judgement I was calling out."
