Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law

Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law

By Julia Hollingsworth, CNN
Thu September 26, 2019

(CNN)Abortion has now been decriminalized in almost all of Australia after the country's most populous state voted to overturn a 119-year-old law.

On Thursday, lawmakers in New South Wales -- which is home to Sydney -- voted to pass a bill that decriminalizes abortion and makes terminations available to people who are less than 22 weeks pregnant.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/asia/abortion-australia-decriminalized-intl-hnk/

Abortion decriminalised in NSW after mammoth debate

Abortion decriminalised in NSW after mammoth debate
There were emotional scenes in parliament as abortion was decriminalised in NSW. But the state’s Premier was nowhere to be seen.

Jodie Stephens and Dominica Sanda, AAP
September 26, 2019

NSW parliament has passed laws decriminalising abortion, more than a century after it was included in the state’s criminal code — but the state’s premier was nowhere to be seen in the chamber this morning.

Overnight, the NSW Upper House finally passed the bill and this morning the Lower House approved its amendments.

Continued: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/pregnancy/nsw-abortion-bill-passes-upper-house/news-story/ccbeffca6eb14a027c5ed2321e6a9820

It is inevitable that NSW’s archaic abortion laws go into the dustbin of history

It is inevitable that NSW's archaic abortion laws go into the dustbin of history
Women in New South Wales have been campaigning for reproductive rights for so long. It’s time politicians listen

Mehreen Faruqi
Thu 1 Aug 2019

It’s been just over two years since my bill to fully decriminalise abortion was defeated in the upper house of New South Wales parliament. The anger and disbelief of those present in the public gallery that day is etched in my memory. Women of all generations were overcome with emotion, outraged that even in the 21st century, politicians would vote to deny them their reproductive rights.

While disappointed, I knew this moment was not the end of our campaign, but an essential milestone in putting this long neglected issue squarely on the political radar. Once the silence was broken, it was inevitable that NSW’s archaic abortion laws would go into the dustbin of history sooner rather than later. That time is now here.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/01/it-is-inevitable-that-nsws-archaic-abortion-laws-go-into-the-dustbin-of-history

01.08.2019

decriminalisation of abortion

Mehreen Faruqi

NSW abortion law

opinion polls on abortion

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

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion In The Next Few Weeks. Here’s What You Need To Know.

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion In The Next Few Weeks. Here’s What You Need To Know.

by Sam Langford
29 July 2019

This week, a bill to decriminalise abortion will be introduced to NSW Parliament. We’ve been here before, but this time it looks likely that the legislation will actually pass. It’s about time.

The Reproductive Health Reform Bill 2019, introduced by Independent MP Alex Greenwich, aims to treat abortion as a health issue rather than a crime. The bill has support from a number of key MPs from both major parties, and was drafted by a cross-party group including Labor’s Penny Sharpe and Jo Haylen, the Nationals’ Trevor Khan, and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.

Continued: https://junkee.com/nsw-abortion-decriminalise/215953

Australia – ‘Cruel, archaic, degrading’: NSW only state where abortion is criminal

'Cruel, archaic, degrading': NSW only state where abortion is criminal

By Kate Aubusson
11 December 2018

NSW abortion laws have been denounced as “archaic, cruel and degrading” by doctors, lawyers, community services as opposition leader Michael Daley says he would consult the women in his life before voting on any legislation to decriminalise abortion.

NSW is the only state in Australia where abortion is still a criminal offence after Queensland's Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion in October.

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/cruel-archaic-degrading-nsw-only-state-where-abortion-is-criminal-20181210-p50la4.html

Australian senator declares himself a woman during clash over abortion

Australian senator declares himself a woman during clash over abortion

By Sean Previl
Nov 16, 2018

A senator in Australia has created controversy following comments in which he “declared [his] gender” to be female in an attempt to shield himself from criticism over his stance on abortion.

National Party Sen. Barry O’Sullivan made the comments in Australian Parliament on Wednesday, saying he was tired of being attacked for his beliefs.

Continued: https://globalnews.ca/news/4670856/australian-senator-declares-himself-woman-abortion/

NSW abortion laws in spotlight after Queensland MPs vote to decriminalise pregnancy terminations

NSW abortion laws in spotlight after Queensland MPs vote to decriminalise pregnancy terminations

By state political reporter Bridgid Glanville
Oct 23, 2018

Abortion's criminal status in NSW is back in the spotlight, after the State Opposition promised to review pregnancy termination laws which date to 1900.

Last week, Queensland's Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion, leaving NSW as the only state where the procedure remains punishable with a jail term.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/nsw-abortion-laws-to-be-reviewed-under-labor/10422434

23.10.2018

NSW Law Reform Commission

Queensland abortion law

Friendly Reminder: It’s 2018 And Abortion Is Still A Crime In NSW

Friendly Reminder: It’s 2018 And Abortion Is Still A Crime In NSW
by Sam Langford
11 September 2018

Well, it turns out that more than three quarters of people in NSW aren’t aware that abortion is still a criminal offence Australia’s biggest state. Here’s your grim reminder that yep, NSW still hasn’t gotten around to legalising abortion. Actually, NSW Parliament voted to keep abortion in the Crimes Act just last year.

A new study by the University of Sydney and James Cook University, published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, surveyed NSW residents about their knowledge of abortion law. It turns out that popular understanding is wildly out of step with the actual law — the survey found that 76 percent of respondents had no idea that abortion is a criminal offence in NSW, and that 73 percent thought abortion should be decriminalised and regulated as a healthcare service.

Continued: http://junkee.com/abortion-crimes-act-nsw/174798

Australia – Three-quarters of people in NSW unaware abortion remains a criminal offence in state

Three-quarters of people in NSW unaware abortion remains a criminal offence in state
Survey finds 89% support legal changes to protect women seeking abortion from harassment

Michael McGowan
Mon 10 Sep 2018

Three-quarters of people in New South Wales are unaware that abortion remains a criminal offence in the state and almost as many believe it should be regulated as a healthcare service, a study has found.

Published on Tuesday in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, a survey of more than 1,000 people in NSW found that the vast majority of voters in NSW remain largely unaware of the legal status of abortion in the state.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/11/three-quarters-of-people-in-nsw-unaware-abortion-remains-a-criminal-offence-in-state

10.09.2018