New Zealand – New law to see protest-free ‘safe zones’ allowed outside abortion clinics

By Irra Lee, 1News Digital Producer
Wed, Mar 16, 2022

“Safe zones” can now be established around specific abortion facilities, restricting protest behaviour in those areas, after a proposed law passed its third reading in Parliament on Wednesday evening.

The bill passed with 108 votes in favour and 12 against. For Labour, 62 voted in favour and three (Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki, Neru Leavasa, Jamie Strange) against.

Continued: https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/16/new-law-to-see-protest-free-safe-zones-allowed-outside-abortion-clinics/


Abortion no longer a crime in NZ after historic vote in Parliament

Abortion no longer a crime in NZ after historic vote in Parliament
Parliament has voted 68-51 tonight in favour to decriminalise abortion and remove it from the Crimes Act.

Anna Whyte, 1 News Politics Reporter
Wed, Mar 18

The Abortion Legislation Bill will remove the statutory test for a person who is less than 20 weeks pregnant and allow a woman to self-refer to an abortion provider.

Heated speeches were delivered by MPs for and against, during the third and final reading of the bill. It will now be signed off by the Governor-General to become law.

Continued: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/abortion-no-longer-crime-in-nz-after-historic-vote-parliament


New Zealand – Abortion reformists fuming after MPs scrap creation of ‘safe zones’ around clinics

Abortion reformists fuming after MPs scrap creation of 'safe zones' around clinics

Mar 11, 2020
Anna Bracewell-Worrall

Abortion reformists are fuming after politicians scrapped the creation of 'safe zones' outside abortion facilities because MPs were seemingly asleep at the wheel during the vote.

An element of the new abortion law would have allowed hospitals and clinics to apply for 'safe zones', where protesters couldn't interfere or interrupt patients or staff.

Continued: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/03/abortion-reformists-fuming-after-mps-scrap-creation-of-abortion-facility-safe-zones.html


New Zealand – Voting mix-up sees abortion safe-zones axed and MPs ‘gutted’

Voting mix-up sees abortion safe-zones axed and MPs 'gutted'

11 Mar, 2020
By: Amelia Wade, Reporter, NZ Herald

Justice Minister Andrew Little is disappointed that proposed "safe zones" around abortion clinics got axed late last night in a voting mix-up.

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who supported the proposal to establish 150m protest-free areas around clinics, has brushed off the error as "the outcome of democracy".

Continued: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12315875


New Zealand – MPs vote to remove abortion clinic safe zones from Bill

MPs vote to remove abortion clinic safe zones from Bill
In a confused vote in Parliament, MPs have done away with all sections of the Abortion Legislation Bill that would have made legally protected 'safe areas' possible outside clinics.

Mar 10, 2020

The Bill had its second reading in Parliament last night, in which possible changes were debated and voted on ahead of the third and final reading.

Up for debate were 150 metre safe zones that could be established around abortion clinics on a case-by-case basis, to prohibit intimidating or interfering behaviour.

Continued: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/411409/mps-vote-to-remove-abortion-clinic-safe-zones-from-bill


Andrew Little’s abortion reforms could ban protests outside clinics

Andrew Little's abortion reforms could ban protests outside clinics

Thomas Coughlan
Aug 05 2019

Protesting outside clinics that offer abortions could be banned under proposals outlined by the Government on Monday.

Justice Minister Andrew Little said the changes would allow "safe areas" to be created outside abortion clinics that would essentially prevent anti-abortion activists from protesting within 150m of the site.

Continued: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/114764111/andrew-littles-abortion-reforms-could-ban-protests-outside-clinics


New Zealand: Govt accused of mixed messages on abortion

Govt accused of mixed messages on abortion
14 March 2017

Craig McCulloch, Political Reporter

Pro-choice protesters - in response to anti-abortion protesters - outside an abortion clinic in Thames (file). Photo: Change.Org

The Abortion Supervisory Committee has called for the legislation to be updated to reflect modern society and will make its case to MPs on Thursday.

Under the current law, a woman can have an abortion only after two doctors agree that continuing the pregnancy would seriously harm her health.

Continued at source: Radio New Zealand: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/326603/govt-accused-of-mixed-messages-on-abortion