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/


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 – 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


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


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


Australia – Barnaby Joyce says he is ‘entitled’ to lobby against safe zones for abortion clinics

Barnaby Joyce says he is 'entitled' to lobby against safe zones for abortion clinics
The Nationals MP, who told a TV interviewer he couldn’t enforce his pro-life views on others, says he is ‘obligated’ to lobby against the bill

Amy Remeikis
Thu 7 Jun 2018

Barnaby Joyce says he is “allowed, entitled and obligated” to lobby his state party counterparts to oppose a New South Wales parliament bill allowing safe zones for women attempting to access abortion clinics.

Joyce, who took medical leave in the last sitting of parliament, in the lead up to the controversial $150,000 tell-all interview he and his new partner, Vikki Campion, agreed to, has been contacting NSW Nationals MPs asking them to oppose the legislation.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/07/barnaby-joyce-i-am-entitled-to-lobby-against-safe-zones-for-abortion-clinics


Expert Opinion: NSW Gov is enabling harassment. Abortion clinics need Safe Access Zones now.

Expert Opinion: NSW Gov is enabling harassment. Abortion clinics need Safe Access Zones now.
Tomorrow, the NSW upper house will vote on the introduction to 'Safe Access Zones' to shield women from harassment outside abortion clinics.

May 23, 2018
By Adrianne Walters, Renee Carr

Every week, women in NSW face harassment and intimidation by anti-abortionists outside reproductive healthcare clinics.

Women are told they are murderers, forced to look at graphic images, and made to listen to misleading and medically inaccurate claims about the dire consequences that await them inside the abortion clinic.

Continued: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/expert-opinion-nsw-gov-is-enabling-harassment-abortion-clinics-need-safe-access-zones-now


Australia – The Abortion Issue Dividing The NSW Government

The Abortion Issue Dividing The NSW Government
The "safe access" bill is set to be introduced to parliament this week.

Jessica Rapana
May 15, 2018

A new bill which could give NSW women the right to access abortions free from harassment is causing tensions within the Berejiklian government.

The proposed bill, which could be introduced to the Upper House as soon as Thursday, sets out 150m "safe access zones" around abortion clinics, with penalties including potential jail time for anyone caught harassing women within these parameters. It would also criminalise the recording or distribution of recordings of women inside the zone.

Continued: http://www.whimn.com.au/talk/news/the-abortion-issue-dividing-the-nsw-government/news-story/1826ebbc928d22a3393f69f609cc2aa3