NSW – Gladys Berejiklian’s missed opportunity in abortion debate

Gladys Berejiklian’s missed opportunity in abortion debate

Peter van Onselen
August 9, 2019

Having listened intently to the abortion debate in New South Wales state parliament this past week, two things stand out: it is mostly men opposing removing terminations from the criminal code, and few if any of those advocating it remain a crime to have an abortion seem willing to argue that the law should be enforced.

How weird is that? So they want a law not enforced to remain on the statute books? I have heard senior politicians piously claim they are “on the side of life” when arguing against abortions. But how are they on the side of life if they won’t ensure the current law criminalising abortions is enforced? In short, they aren’t. It’s vacuous posturing at best.

Continued: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/gladys-berejiklians-missed-opportunity-in-abortion-debate/news-story/79447bd9b27d1060f9bd2dbb471e8188

09.08.2019

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NSW abortion bill passes first hurdle in late-night sitting

NSW abortion bill passes first hurdle in late-night sitting
Bill to decriminalise abortion passes lower house of parliament by 59 votes to 31 after lengthy debate

Michael McGowan
Thu 8 Aug 2019

After three days of wrangling, a historic bill to decriminalise abortions in New South Wales has cleared its first hurdle after passing through the state’s lower house.

The Reproductive Healthcare Reform bill passed 59 votes to 31 just before 11pm on Thursday night, though not without amendments that altered the bill from its original form.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/08/nsw-abortion-bill-passes-first-hurdle

NSW abortion law: informed consent requirement confusing, says AMA

NSW abortion law: informed consent requirement confusing, says AMA
Bill made it through the first vote 56 to 33, but MPs are still debating more than a dozen amendments to legislation

Michael McGowan
Thu 8 Aug 2019

The introduction of a statutory requirement for doctors to gain “informed consent” before performing abortions in New South Wales will cause confusion and create an unnecessary “extra hurdle” to accessing a termination, the Australian Medical Association has warned.

The historic, cross-party bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW is being debated on the floor of the state’s parliament on Thursday, with wrangling over proposed amendments expected to go late into the night or even early Friday morning.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/08/nsw-abortion-law-plan-to-increase-restrictions-on-terminations-after-22-weeks-scrapped

Abortion bill debated in NSW parliament

Abortion bill debated in NSW parliament

Jodie Stephens and Heather McNab
6 Aug 2019

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged colleagues to back a bill decriminalising abortion in order to "right a wrong" enacted in law more than a century ago.

Mr Hazzard on Tuesday launched a NSW lower house debate on a private members bill allowing pregnancy terminations up to 22 weeks.

Continued: https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/6312025/abortion-bill-debated-in-nsw-parliament/

NSW abortion law reform: Uniting Church breaks religious ranks to back decriminalisation

NSW abortion law reform: Uniting Church breaks religious ranks to back decriminalisation
In open letter to MPs ahead of debate on bill, Reverend Simon Hansford says abortion a health and social issue

Lisa Martin
Sun 4 Aug 2019

The Uniting Church has broken ranks with other religious institutions to throw its support behind decriminalising abortion in New South Wales.

NSW is the only Australian state or territory that has neglected to modernise abortion laws.

Last week a private member’s bill co-sponsored by 15 MPs from across the political divide was introduced to state parliament. It was expected to be debated as soon as Tuesday when parliament sits.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/nsw-abortion-law-reform-united-church-breaks-religious-ranks-to-back-decriminalisation

NSW abortion bill: Alex Greenwich hits back at claims of ‘unrestricted’ terminations

NSW abortion bill: Alex Greenwich hits back at claims of 'unrestricted' terminations
Conservatives opposed to historic reform should do their homework, independent says

Michael McGowan
Thu 1 Aug 2019

The architect of a historic bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales has hit out at opponents of the legislation, after a conservative MP wrongly claimed the bill would allow unrestricted abortion “until the moment of birth”.

The independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, tabled the bill on Thursday after it was delayed by a week by resistance within the Coalition government.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/01/alex-greenwich-hits-back-at-incorrect-claims-about-nsw-abortion-bill

Abortion bill to be introduced to NSW Parliament delayed after MPs claim they need more time

Abortion bill to be introduced to NSW Parliament delayed after MPs claim they need more time

By state political reporter Ashleigh Raper
July 30, 2019

The introduction of a bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales has been delayed, after a number of Liberal MPs raised concerns there wasn't enough time to consider the legislation.

Leader of the House, Andrew Constance, this morning confirmed the bill would be introduced today and debated this week, but by this afternoon that was no longer the case.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-30/abortion-bill-introduced-to-nsw-government/11365482

NSW abortion decriminalisation delayed after conservatives resist

NSW abortion decriminalisation delayed after conservatives resist
Bill with cross-party support was due to be introduced on Tuesday, but Coalition conservatives complain it has been rushed

Michael McGowan
Tue 30 Jul 2019

A bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales has been delayed by a week after resistance from the conservative wing of the Coalition government.

The historic bill, co-sponsored by 15 MPs from across the political divide, had been due to be introduced into the parliament on Tuesday before being debated this week.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/30/nsw-abortion-decriminalisation-delayed-after-conservatives-resist

After 119 years, NSW is set to decriminalise abortion. Why has reform taken so long?

After 119 years, NSW is set to decriminalise abortion. Why has reform taken so long?

July 30, 2019
Helen Pringle

A bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW has been delayed by conservative MPs who reportedly want more time to consider the legislation. Debate is now set to start in the lower house next week.

Still, the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019, to be introduced by independent MP Alex Greenwich, has widespread support in the Legislative Assembly and looks likely to pass. It also has the support of Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who is one of its 15 co-sponsors, as well as Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Continued: https://theconversation.com/after-119-years-nsw-is-set-to-decriminalise-abortion-why-has-reform-taken-so-long-121112

Australia – Abortion back on agenda in NSW as decriminalisation push gathers pace

Abortion back on agenda in NSW as decriminalisation push gathers pace
Labor, Greens and key independent signal they will pursue changes to Crimes Act

Josephine Tovey
Wed 6 Mar 2019

Abortion decriminalisation is likely to be back on the agenda in the next New South Wales parliament, with Labor, the Greens and a key independent signalling they will pursue it.

On Wednesday federal Labor announced a national sexual and reproductive rights strategy to improve access to contraceptives and abortion, and vowed to work with the states on decriminalisation.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/07/abortion-back-on-agenda-in-nsw-as-decriminalisation-push-gathers-pace