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


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


Amendment Rejected As NSW Abortion Bill Debate Continues

Amendment Rejected As NSW Abortion Bill Debate Continues

Tue 17 Sep 2019

Debate has continued into the night on proposed amendments to the controversial bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW.

The upper house began debating amendments to the bill on Tuesday afternoon following the threat of a leadership spill against Premier Gladys Berejiklian over her handling of the private member's bill.

In its current form, the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 would allow terminations up to 22 weeks as well as later abortions if two doctors agree.

Continued: https://10daily.com.au/news/a190917tfjdm/amendment-rejected-as-nsw-abortion-bill-debate-continues-20190917


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 backers unlikely to support calls for sex selection ban

NSW abortion law backers unlikely to support calls for sex selection ban
Supporters of bill to decriminalise abortion confident it can pass despite opponents’ campaign

By Brinkwire
on August 16, 2019

Supporters of a historic bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales remain confident it will make it through parliament unscathed despite the premier, Gladys Berejiklian, caving in to calls for bans on so-called “sex selection” terminations.

The bill’s passage through the lower house last week prompted a backlash from rightwing MPs, religious leaders and conservative figures in the media who have mounted a concerted campaign to derail the legislation ahead of the upper house vote.

Continued: https://en.brinkwire.com/canada/nsw-abortion-law-backers-unlikely-to-support-calls-for-sex-selection-ban/


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/


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 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


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 – 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