Queensland introduces Australian-first law to allow midwives and nurses to prescribe abortion pills

Exclusive: Legislation hailed as big step towards providing fair access to terminations across state

Eden Gillespie
Thu 30 Nov 2023

Queensland will become Australia’s first jurisdiction to introduce a law to allow nurses and midwives to dispense pregnancy termination medication in a move expected to improve access in the state’s “huge abortion deserts”.

In August the Therapeutic Goods Administration scrapped restrictions on the prescription of medical abortion pills, known as MS-2 Step, to be used in the early stages of pregnancy. But it is up to individual jurisdictions to determine the specific healthcare practitioner and the appropriate qualifications for prescribing.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/30/queensland-law-abortion-pills-midwives-nurses-prescribed-details

Australia – ‘I was shocked’: Catholic-run public hospitals refuse to provide birth control and abortion

Publicly funded Catholic hospitals across Australia are using the cover of religion to opt out of providing reproductive care – and experts say it has created a ‘postcode lottery’ for access to services

by Donna Lu and Melissa Davey
Mon 21 Aug 2023

When Sarah*, a Melbourne mother, was pregnant with her second child, her GP gave her a surprising warning: if she had any serious complications, concerns about the viability of the pregnancy or believed she might be miscarrying, she should go to the Royal Women’s hospital rather than the Mercy Hospital for Women, where she was planning to deliver the baby.

The reason, the GP told her, was that the Mercy – a public hospital in Melbourne’s north-east – would not assist in terminating a pregnancy due to its Catholic affiliation.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/22/do-australian-catholic-hospitals-perform-abortions-provide-contraception-reproductive-care

Accessing an abortion in Australia just got a bit easier

By Frances Vinall
July 7, 2022

SYDNEY — Access to abortion became easier in Australia on Thursday as decriminalization took effect in South Australia state, part of a wave of liberalization that contrasts with recent moves in the United States.

For the most part, abortion is not the subject of polarizing national debate Down Under, as it often is in American politics. But the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade shocked many Australians, leading thousands to attend rallies in support of abortion rights.

Unlocked: https://wapo.st/3uyBtaj
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/07/australia-abortion-law-roe-v-wade/)

Australia – With closure of Marie Stopes clinics, regional women seeking an abortion will now find it even tougher

By Lily Nothling
Aug 29, 2021

When Zoe Eaton fell pregnant during high school, she knew she wanted an abortion, but getting one didn't come without hurdles.

"I didn't expect that I was going to be pregnant at 17. It was not something I wanted for myself," Ms Eaton said. "To me, my future looked pretty bleak if I had to go through with that pregnancy."

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-30/access-to-abortion-really-difficult-in-regional-qld/100414012

Key abortion provider Marie Stopes closes regional clinics in Queensland, NSW

Abortion counsellors concerned shutdowns more heavily impact vulnerable women in Queensland communities

Ben Smee
Fri 18 Jun 2021

Family planning organisation Marie Stopes Australia says its regional abortion clinics are “no longer financially viable” and will close next month, prompting concerns some women in regional Queensland could have to travel more than 2000km to access services.

Marie Stopes operates the only private clinics offering surgical abortions north of the Sunshine Coast – in Rockhampton and Townsville. The non-profit organisation will also close clinics on the Gold Coast and in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/18/key-abortion-provider-marie-stopes-closes-regional-clinics-in-queensland-nsw

18.06.2021

Children by Choice

Daile Kelleher

Jamal Hakim

Marie Stopes Australia

medical abortions

Queensland clinic closure

Australia

Oceania

Health

Australia – Meet Jo Bolger, the abortion doula who helps people through pregnancy terminations

ABC Sunshine Coast / By Edwina Storie
May 31, 2021

Jo Bolger is Australia's first abortion doula — a grandma, a mother of three, and one of those people who brims with warmth.

An abortion doula provides non-medical support, whether it be emotional, physical or informational, through a termination of pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-01/meet-australia-s-first-abortion-doula/100153212

Nigeria – Family Planning: Benefits Of Pregnancy, Child Birth By Choice

May 1, 2021

Recently, Austine Ohenhen, a man who fled his home in
Benin, Edo State, on hearing that his wife, Rita, had given birth to a set of
quadruplets blamed the current economic situation in the country for his
action.

Austin and his wife, Rita already had five children before the arrival of the
quadruplets. The former engineer now turned farmer told the media that he did
not have the money to take up the huge additional responsibilities the birth of
the new babies would put on him.

Continued: https://leadership.ng/family-planning-benefits-of-pregnancy-child-birth-by-choice/

01.05.2021

unplanned pregnancies

World Health Organisation

Queensland’s abortion law change improved access but ‘postcode lottery’ remains

Queensland's abortion law change improved access but 'postcode lottery' remains
Decriminalisation’s effect has varied across the state, but overall it has been judged ‘good news’

Ben Smee
Mon 5 Aug 2019

Seven months after the state voted to decriminalise abortion, there remains a “postcode lottery” in Queensland for women attempting to access termination services, but overall the effect is being seen as positive.

As New South Wales prepares to vote this week on a decriminalisation bill, the last Australian state to do so, doctors and support services in Queensland say access has improved in many places but demand for services has not increased.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/06/queenslands-abortion-law-change-improved-access-but-postcode-lottery-remains

Protesters banned from Queensland abortion clinics from today

Protesters banned from Queensland abortion clinics from today

By Felicity Caldwell
3 December 2018

Queensland women seeking a pregnancy termination will be shielded from protesters from Monday, as abortion law reform comes into effect.

From Monday, abortion will no longer be a crime and women will be able to have a termination on request up to 22 weeks, or after that gestation with consent from two doctors.

Continued: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/protesters-banned-from-queensland-abortion-clinics-from-today-20181203-p50jt5.html

Queensland parliament votes to legalise abortion

Queensland parliament votes to legalise abortion
Abortion will become legal until 22 weeks gestation, and thereafter with the approval of two doctors

Ben Smee
Wed 17 Oct 2018

Abortion will become legal in Queensland, after the state’s parliament voted to support new legislation and erase a 119-year-old “morality” section of the state’s criminal code.

Loud cheers in the legislative assembly chamber at 7.42pm on Wednesday brought to an end a 50-year struggle by women’s groups in a state once notorious for its conservatism.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/17/queensland-parliament-votes-to-legalise-abortion