Abortion Now Legal Across Australia

Abortion Now Legal Across Australia

By Phil Mercer
September 26, 2019

SYDNEY - A bill to decriminalize abortion in the only Australian state where it has been illegal was enacted by lawmakers in New South Wales Thursday. Supporters say the “historic” legislation is a “massive step forward for women,” but Catholic leaders believe it was a “dark day” for the state of New South Wales.

Following a marathon debate and weeks of protest, abortion is no longer a crime in Australia’s most populous state.

Continued: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/abortion-now-legal-across-australia

26.09.2019

Abortion decriminalised in NSW after bill passes last hurdle

Abortion decriminalised in NSW after bill passes last hurdle

By Alexandra Smith
Updated September 26, 2019

NSW will become the final state in the country to remove abortion from the Crimes Act after the contentious bill passed its last hurdle on Thursday morning.

The amended bill appeased conservative MPs, securing Premier Gladys Berejiklian's majority which was under threat after rebel MPs warned they could defect.

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/abortion-decriminalised-in-nsw-after-bill-passes-last-hurdle-20190926-p52v2q.html

Abortion bill faces resistance in Australia’s New South Wales

Abortion bill faces resistance in Australia's New South Wales
State's upper house drags feet in passing law legalising abortion despite an overwhelming 75-percent support by voters.

by Kate Walton
Sep 17, 2019

Canberra, Australia - Debate has begun in the upper house of the state of New South Wales (NSW) to decriminalise abortion, but what was expected to be a straightforward legislative process has triggered a furious backlash from conservative politicians and religious groups.

The Reproductive Health Care Act 2019, which seeks to bring the state in line with the rest of Australia, would allow abortion up to 22 weeks. It was passed by the state lower house in August, with 59 votes in favour and 31 against.

Continued: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/abortion-bill-faces-resistance-australia-south-wales-190917075212482.html

Abortion bill in NSW used to push Australian politics further to the right

Abortion bill in NSW used to push Australian politics further to the right

By Cheryl Crisp
16 September 2019

Legislation to decriminalise abortion in Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), is being used by forces within the state’s ruling Liberal Party to push politics even further in the direction of extreme right-wing populism.

The Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019, which passed in the state’s Legislative Assembly (lower house) on August 8, is scheduled to be voted on in the upper house (Legislative Council) tomorrow, September 17. A delay was demanded by its right-wing opponents in order to gain time to block the bill’s passage in its present form.

Continued: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/09/16/abor-s16.html

Radio Host’s On-Air Question On Abortion To NSW Premier Is ‘Not Okay’

Radio Host's On-Air Question On Abortion To NSW Premier Is 'Not Okay'

Emma Brancatisano
Sun 25 Aug 2019

The Minister for Women has criticised a radio host's on-air question to the NSW Premier on whether she would personally have an abortion.

Marise Payne told The ABC's Insiders program the question from 2GB host Ben Fordham is "not okay".

"I don't think it's appropriate to ask anyone publicly, male or female, about sensitive health questions like that," she told the panel on Sunday.

Continued: https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a190825yloci/radio-hosts-on-air-question-on-abortion-to-nsw-premier-is-not-okay-20190825

25.08.2019

Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019

NSW – Anti-abortion groups rally after decriminalisation bill delayed until September

Anti-abortion groups rally after decriminalisation bill delayed until September
A vote on the bill to decriminalise abortion had been expected this week but opponents have campaigned furiously against it

Michael McGowan
Tue 20 Aug 2019

Thousands of anti-abortion protesters have rallied outside the NSW parliament after opponents of a bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales successfully delayed a final vote on the legislation until next month.

The parliament’s upper house began debating the reproductive healthcare reform bill on Tuesday, almost two weeks after it passed its first hurdle in the lower chamber.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/20/nsw-abortion-bill-delayed-until-september-amid-liberal-division

NSW abortion law: the decriminalisation reform bill explained

NSW abortion law: the decriminalisation reform bill explained
Opponents claim the new law will allow sex selection and abortion up until birth. But what does the bill actually do?

Michael McGowan
Mon 19 Aug 2019

In the two weeks since an historic bill removing abortion from the New South Wales criminal code passed its first hurdle in the parliament’s lower house, opponents of the legislation have fought hard to stop it becoming law.

Religious leaders, rightwing MPs and conservative media commentators have all mounted a concerted campaign to derail the legislation ahead of the vote. Opponents claim the bill will allow so-called gender or sex selection and abortion “on demand” up until birth.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/19/nsw-abortion-law-the-decriminalisation-reform-bill-explained

NSW – Berejiklian backs ‘gender selection’ abortion ban amid pressure

Berejiklian backs 'gender selection' abortion ban amid pressure

By Alexandra Smith
August 14, 2019

Sheffield, England: Premier Gladys Berejiklian has made an extraordinary appeal to her upper house colleagues to consider "strengthening" the abortion bill as she comes under pressure from conservative MPs.

Ms Berejiklian said she would be prepared to change the Crimes Act to ban gender selection abortions and encouraged upper house MPs to give the issue "careful consideration".

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/berejiklian-backs-strengthening-of-abortion-bill-amid-pressure-from-conservative-mps-20190814-p52gub.html

14.08.2019

Premier Gladys Berejikilian

sex selection abortion

Abortion advocates hopeful bill will pass

Abortion advocates hopeful bill will pass

Jodie Stephens and Dominica Sanda
9 Aug 2019

Pro-choice advocates are optimistic a bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW will soon become law after it cleared a significant hurdle by passing through the state's lower house.

Members of the Legislative Assembly erupted into cheers on Thursday night when they voted in favour of the amended bill to take abortion out of the criminal code following three days of passionate debate.

Continued: https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/6319062/abortion-advocates-hopeful-bill-will-pass/

Experts Slam ‘Insulting’ Misinformation About Abortion Decriminalisation Bill

Experts Slam 'Insulting' Misinformation About Abortion Decriminalisation Bill

Emma Brancatisano
Wed 07 Aug 2019

As debate intensifies around decriminalising abortion in NSW, the state's peak medical body is accusing opponents of "unfounded fearmongering".

MPs continued to debate a bill in the lower house on Wednesday which seeks to remove abortion from the state's criminal code, instead placing it into an appropriate healthcare framework.

Continued: https://10daily.com.au/news/politics/a190807mrauh/experts-slam-insulting-misinformation-about-abortion-decriminalisation-bill-20190807