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 ‘could be thrown out’

NSW abortion law 'could be thrown out'

June 13 2018
Jamie McKinnell

A NSW law providing "safe zones" around the state's abortion clinics could be thrown out by the courts and needs redrafting, warns a state government minister who opposed it.

Pru Goward, the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence - and a former minister for women and former sex discrimination commissioner - has faced calls for her sacking since she voted against the bill last week.

Continued: https://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/story/5466086/nsw-abortion-law-could-be-thrown-out/?cs=7


NSW- Berejiklian defends ministers who voted against abortion ‘safe zones’

Berejiklian defends ministers who voted against abortion 'safe zones'
The NSW premier is defending two of her ministers who voted against legislation that provides "safe zones" around the state's abortion clinics.

June 12, 2018

The NSW premier is resisting calls to sack two of her ministers - who are responsible for women and the prevention of domestic violence - after they voted against laws to protect women seeking abortions.

Tanya Davies and Pru Goward last week voted against a bill to provide 150 metre "safe zones" outside abortion clinics to prevent abuse and harassment after government MPs were allowed a conscience vote.

Continued: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/berejiklian-defends-ministers-who-voted-against-abortion-safe-zones


Abortion clinic ‘safe access zones’ become law in NSW

Abortion clinic 'safe access zones' become law in NSW

By Lisa Visentin
8 June 2018

Protesters will face jail time for harassing people outside abortion facilities after NSW Parliament passed laws to impose 150-metre "safe access zones" around clinics and hospitals that provide terminations.

The laws, which are aimed at ensuring the privacy and safety of women accessing clinics, passed easily and without amendment through the Legislative Assembly, with a final vote of 61 to 18 in favour.

Continued: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/abortion-clinic-safe-access-zones-become-law-in-nsw-20180607-p4zk18.html


Australia – Abortion advocates urge NSW to ‘take next step’ after new safe access laws

Abortion advocates urge NSW to 'take next step' after new safe access laws
Reproductive rights activists have praised the passing of the new ‘safe access abortion zone’ laws in New South Wales, but say they would like to see abortion completely decriminalised.

June 8, 2018
By Evan Young

After a mammoth sitting which saw testimony from over 40 MPs, the New South Wales parliament passed the controversial amendment of the Public Health Act early Friday morning, 61 votes to 18.

The new law, supported by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, makes it illegal to communicate, film or intimidate a woman inside of a 150-metre radius of an abortion clinic.

Continued: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/abortion-advocates-urge-nsw-to-take-next-step-after-new-safe-access-laws