NSW set to decriminalise abortion as health minister says it’s ‘time for change’

NSW set to decriminalise abortion as health minister says it's 'time for change'
Independent MP Alex Greenwich to introduce bill developed by cross-party working group

Australian Associated Press
Sun 28 Jul 2019

The New South Wales health minister has declared it’s “time for change” when it comes to abortion law, ahead of the introduction of a new bill which would see pregnancy terminations regulated as a medical procedure around the state. Currently abortions in NSW are dealt with under the Crimes Act 1900.

The Reproductive Healthcare Reform Bill 2019, a private member’s bill, will be introduced to parliament this week by the independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/28/nsw-set-to-decriminalise-abortion-as-health-minister-says-its-time-for-change

Australia – Revived ‘Zoe’s law’ bill a risk to women’s abortion rights, warn pro-choice groups

Revived ‘Zoe’s law’ bill a risk to women’s abortion rights, warn pro-choice groups
New South Wales MP pushing for bill that would make it a crime to cause serious harm or death to a foetus

Michael McGowan
Fri 16 Nov 2018

A bill before the New South Wales parliament, which would make it a crime to cause serious harm or death to a foetus, would set a “dangerous precedent” and present “a real risk to women’s reproductive rights”, women’s and legal groups have argued.

Five years after it was first introduced, the “Zoe’s law” bill has been revived by the conservative NSW Christian Democrat MP Reverend Fred Nile. But even with pro-choice Nationals MP Trevor Khan seeking a compromise deal, opponents say it could still result in restricted access to abortions in the state.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/17/revived-zoes-law-bill-a-risk-to-womens-abortion-rights-warn-pro-choice-groups

Australia – Three better ways to ‘champion babies’ than protesting abortion

Three better ways to 'champion babies' than protesting abortion

By Clementine Ford
24 October 2018

Last week, the Queensland government finally dragged itself into the modern era when it voted to make access to abortion officially legal.

I say "modern era", but of course there are still legislatures all over the country (and the world) that are languishing in a state of regressive, misogynist policies that deny women and others with reproductive capacity the right to determine when, if and under what circumstances they become parents. New South Wales is one of them. Curiously, South Australia is another – for despite abortion being relatively easy to access in that state (and I should know, I had two there), it’s technically still listed on the criminal code.

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/three-better-ways-to-champion-babies-than-protesting-abortion-20181023-p50bhc.html

Victoria legalised abortion 10 years ago – what will it take in NSW and Queensland?

Victoria legalised abortion 10 years ago – what will it take in NSW and Queensland?
A decade on, Victoria still doesn’t have enough publicly provided, accessible abortion services

Kathleen Maltzahn
Tue 9 Oct 2018

It took more than 40 years of feminist activism, three days and nights of parliamentary debate and hours-long speeches by religious right MPs railing against decriminalisation for abortion in Victoria to be taken out of the crimes act. Ten years on, this is still a powerful victory. Victoria is one of only three Australian jurisdictions where abortion is legal, despite strong community support. Given recent failures to decriminalise in Queensland and New South Wales, Victoria’s success is a reminder that change is possible.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2018/oct/09/victoria-legalised-abortion-10-years-ago-what-will-it-take-in-nsw-and-queensland

Is abortion legal in Australia? It’s complicated

Is abortion legal in Australia? It's complicated

By health reporter Olivia Willis
May 25, 2018

Ireland has just voted on whether to lift the country's controversial ban on abortion.

But in Australia, whether or not abortion is legal depends on where you live — as does the cost and availability of the procedure.

And that's because abortion laws are made by state and territory governments, not the Federal Government.

Continued: http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2018-05-26/is-abortion-legal-in-australia/9795188

Australia: Abortion reform ‘unfinished business’

Abortion reform 'unfinished business'

August 16, 2017
Lisa Martin
Australian Associated Press

Queensland and NSW may have female state leaders, but it's still a potentially jailable offence for women to have an abortion in those states.

Federal Labor's deputy leader Tanya Plibersek has made the case for Australia to address its "unfinished business on reproductive health" while delivering the Emily's List oration in Canberra on Wednesday night.

"Having an abortion is a criminal act in both Queensland and New South Wales - that means it's a crime for half the women in Australia," Ms Plibersek said, noting a Brisbane couple were prosecuted for purchasing abortion drugs in 2010 and last month a woman was prosecuted in New South Wales.

Continued at source: News.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/abortion-reform-unfinished-business/news-story/f08036b1fef580335be2b72beed7e9d9

16.08.2017

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Australian Lawmakers Vote No on Legal Abortion Law

Australian Lawmakers Vote No on Legal Abortion Law
In New South Wales, abortion is punishable with 10 years in prison.

Laura Bannister
Jun 2, 2017

Last month, members of the New South Wales Parliament in Australia voted against a bill that would decriminalize abortion, which has been an offense under the state’s Crimes Act since 1900. The law reform bill — which had been brought forward by Member of Parliament Mehreen Faruqi of the Greens Party — was swiftly defeated in the upper house, 25 to 14. The reigning Liberal-National government (broadly defined as center-right conservatives) were given a conscience vote, meaning they could break with their party’s pro-life position if they chose. None did. According to The Guardian, members of the public, who watched the proceedings from the open gallery above, hollered “SHAME!” when results of the conscience vote were revealed.

Continued at source: Teen Vogue: http://www.teenvogue.com/story/australian-lawmakers-vote-no-legal-abortion

Australia: ‘Completely out of step’: Abortion to remain a crime in NSW after reform bill fails

'Completely out of step': Abortion to remain a crime in NSW after reform bill fails

The majority of the state's upper house has voted down a Greens bill that would have decriminalised abortion in NSW.

By Ben Winsor
11 May 2017

Abortion will remain a crime in NSW after members of the Legislative Council voted down a Greens bill aimed at overturning the 100-year-old law.

Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi's Abortion Law Reform Bill was defeated 25 to 14 in the state parliament's upper house.

The bill received support from eight Labor MLCs and all five Greens MLCs, as well as Animal Justice Party MLC Mark Pearson.

Public members in the gallery shouted "shame" as the result of the conscience vote was announced in the Legislative Council.

“I am disappointed that the NSW Legislative Council has voted to keep abortion a Crime in NSW,” Dr Faruqi said.

Continued at source: SBS News: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/05/11/completely-out-step-abortion-remain-crime-nsw-after-reform-bill-fails

11.05.2017

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Australia: Protesters call for removal of abortion from NSW Crimes Act

Protesters call for removal of abortion from NSW Crimes Act

May 9, 2017

Abortion rights campaigners gathered outside the NSW Parliament on Tuesday in a renewed push to decriminalise abortion and to create protest-free zones around clinics.

Purple postcards bearing the slogan "Decriminalise abortion. Safe access" were hung on the fence outside Parliament House on Macquarie Street.

Continued at link: Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/protesters-call-for-removal-of-abortion-from-nsw-crimes-act-20170509-gw0xbn.html

Australia: Abortion decriminalisation to get renewed push in NSW parliament

Abortion decriminalisation to get renewed push in NSW parliament

Greens proposal, which would create 150-metre protest-free zones around clinics, backed by medical and legal experts

Christopher Knaus
Sunday 7 May 2017

A proposal to decriminalise abortion and create protest-free zones around clinics is expected to come before New South Wales parliament this week, backed by doctors, lawyers, teachers, academics, unions and civil rights groups.

The Greens are leading the push to have abortion removed from the state’s Crimes Act, but are facing opposition from the Catholic church and the Christian lobby, which are seeking to lobby members of parliament against the changes.

Continued at source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/08/abortion-decriminalisation-to-get-renewed-push-in-nsw-parliament