Canberra's leading abortion clinic plans to use the controversial abortion drug RU486 if permitted to do so. The acting Chief Executive of the Marie Stopes International Australia clinic in Civic, Jill Michelson, said yesterday the drug offered women a choice over an anaesthetic and surgical procedure.

"Some would prefer it [abortion] over quickly and efficiently," Ms Michelson said. "If used appropriately with good supervision, [the drug] is appropriate and quite safe."

She said RU486 was used around the world extremely safely and there was a lot of experience in other countries. Marie Stopes International Australia clinics in England used RU486. If used in Australia, women would have clinical supervision throughout the procedure. "We would certainly use it in a supervised fashion so women would have a safe experience.", she said.