Abortion becomes a Queensland election issue
5 months, 1 week ago

Abortion becomes a Queensland election issue

ABC  

ALEXANDRA BLUCHER, REPORTER: Ana and Josh Starrenburg are deep in the newborn bubble with their son, Matteo. ALEXANDRA BLUCHER: In 2018 all but three of the party’s MPs voted against decriminalisation including leader David Crisafulli and his deputy Jarrod Bleijie. ALEXANDRA BLUCHER: Rosie O’Brien fell pregnant last May but made the agonising decision not to proceed during a traumatic relationship breakdown. ALEXANDRA BLUCHER: She argues that making abortion illegal again wouldn’t stop women seeking them. SHANNON FENTIMAN: ALEXANDRA BLUCHER: Researchers working with women facing domestic violence argue that re-criminalising abortion would make their situation worse.

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History of this topic

Expansion of medical abortion prescribers to be considered by NSW government
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Expansion of medical abortion prescribers to be considered by NSW government

ABC  

A New South Wales Health review of abortion legislation has recommended the government consider changing the law to allow endorsed midwives and nurse practitioners to prescribe medicine for early terminations. Newcastle-based nurse practitioner Denise Lyons from the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association said the change was needed to make abortion care more accessible. Dr Noonan said nurse practitioners and …

Queensland government blocks any change to abortion laws, with David Crisafulli blaming Labor's 'scare campaign'
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Queensland government blocks any change to abortion laws, with David Crisafulli blaming Labor's 'scare campaign'

ABC  

Abortion laws will be protected for this parliamentary term, with the Queensland government accusing the opposition of a "US-style scare campaign". Abortion dominated debate in the October state election, with the Labor party claiming the LNP would restrict a woman's right to choose. The subject threatened to derail the LNP's campaign, after Katter's Australian Party pledged to introduce legislation to …

Did Katter's Australian Party just make abortion a Queensland election issue?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Did Katter's Australian Party just make abortion a Queensland election issue?

ABC  

Abortion will almost certainly become an issue in Queensland parliament again if an LNP government is elected later this month. LNP leader David Crisafulli's oft-repeated mantra that it's "not part of our plan, I'm ruling it out" fails to address the likely sequence of future events. Katter's Australian Party leader Robbie Katter says his party will put an abortion repeal …

South Australia decriminalised abortion more than a year ago, but nothing has changed
2 years, 10 months ago

South Australia decriminalised abortion more than a year ago, but nothing has changed

ABC  

While the future of abortion access in the United States makes international headlines, South Australia is behind the rest of Australia in implementing its new abortion laws. Key points: It has been 15 months since South Australia decriminalised abortion but its laws are yet to be enacted Advocates say it is leading to unnecessary harm for those seeking an abortion …

Amid a shortfall in abortion services for women in regional Queensland, questions of equality are raised
3 years ago

Amid a shortfall in abortion services for women in regional Queensland, questions of equality are raised

ABC  

Abortion in Queensland is legal. "None of this additional support is covered by Queensland Health patient travel, nor is it considered by hospitals when making decisions not to provide compassionate abortion care locally," Ms Kelleher said. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's …

Protesting outside SA abortion clinics has been outlawed as new laws pass Parliament
4 years, 4 months ago

Protesting outside SA abortion clinics has been outlawed as new laws pass Parliament

ABC  

Protesting outside South Australian abortion clinics has been outlawed after new laws passed the Upper House in State Parliament late last night. Greens MLC Tammy Franks — who introduced the proposed law in the Legislative Council — said "at long last" the South Australian Parliament had voted to protect patients and workers from "harassment" outside abortion clinics. "For too long …

Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law
5 years, 6 months ago

Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law

CNN  

CNN — Abortion has now been decriminalized in almost all of Australia after the country’s most populous state voted to overturn a 119-year-old law. On Thursday, lawmakers in New South Wales – which is home to Sydney – voted to pass a bill that decriminalizes abortion and makes terminations available to people who are less than 22 weeks pregnant. “For …

Australia's Largest State Lifts Abortion Restrictions
5 years, 6 months ago

Australia's Largest State Lifts Abortion Restrictions

NPR  

Australia's Largest State Lifts Abortion Restrictions Enlarge this image toggle caption Brook Mitchell/Getty Images Brook Mitchell/Getty Images Lawmakers in Sydney have voted to decriminalize abortion in the country's most populous state, overturning legal restrictions that have been in place since the start of the 20th century. In the weeks leading up to the historic vote, Australian abortion opponents organized public …

Abortion bill passes NSW Parliament after weeks of debate — here's what's in it
5 years, 6 months ago

Abortion bill passes NSW Parliament after weeks of debate — here's what's in it

ABC  

It took eight weeks of protests, public blood-letting from the Liberal Party, threats to plunge the Government into minority and even an abandoned move on Gladys Berejiklian's leadership. They include: Removing abortion from the Crimes Act Allowing an abortion up to 22 weeks gestation Allowing an abortion after 22 weeks gestation with the approval of two "specialist medical practitioners" A …

How does NSW's proposed abortion law compare with other states?
5 years, 6 months ago

How does NSW's proposed abortion law compare with other states?

ABC  

A bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW is causing tension within the Coalition Government, headed by Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Key points: A bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW is currently being debated in State Parliament Regulations around gestation, conscientious objection and counselling differ from state to state According to Independent MP Alex Greenwich, who introduced the bill, the bill is …

Bill to decriminalise abortion passes NSW Lower House
5 years, 7 months ago

Bill to decriminalise abortion passes NSW Lower House

ABC  

A historic bill to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales has passed the State Parliament's Lower House, following two weeks of impassioned debate. Key points: The bill now heads to the NSW Upper House for further debate It allows for access to an abortion in the first 22 weeks of pregnancy It includes a provision that terminations beyond that be …

NSW abortion bill stirs religious, medical debate over late-term termination provision
5 years, 7 months ago

NSW abortion bill stirs religious, medical debate over late-term termination provision

ABC  

Doctors say fears over late-term abortions are "unfounded and unfair" as debate swirls ahead of a vote on legalising abortion in NSW next week. Key points: The bill to legalise abortion in NSW is expected to be voted on by the end of next week The Catholic Church said MPs are accountable to God whether they believe or not Doctors …

Abortion bill in NSW set to change laws dating back to 1900
5 years, 8 months ago

Abortion bill in NSW set to change laws dating back to 1900

ABC  

New South Wales MPs from across the political divide have united in a bid to decriminalise abortion, an offence based on legislation dating back to 1900. Key points: The Crimes Act 1900 includes abortion as an offence punishable by 10 years in prison The new bill is based on legislation introduced in Queensland last year Independent MP for Sydney Alex …

Access to abortion in regional Australia still depends on 'your postcode and your income'
5 years, 10 months ago

Access to abortion in regional Australia still depends on 'your postcode and your income'

ABC  

Nearly 20 years ago when Anna was 21 she had an unplanned pregnancy, at the time she was living in far north Queensland and abortion was still under the criminal code. Rise of tele-abortions For women in regional and rural areas of Australia, access to abortion has drastically improved with the availability of medical abortions. "The biggest obstacle to changing …

NSW abortion laws in spotlight after Queensland MPs vote to decriminalise pregnancy terminations
6 years, 5 months ago

NSW abortion laws in spotlight after Queensland MPs vote to decriminalise pregnancy terminations

ABC  

Abortion's criminal status in NSW is back in the spotlight, after the State Opposition promised to review pregnancy termination laws which date to 1900. Key points: Abortions can only be performed in NSW if physical or mental health is endangered A previous attempt to change the law failed because some MPs were concerned about the lack of detail in a …

Threats of reprisals against Queensland MPs who voted to legalise abortion
6 years, 5 months ago

Threats of reprisals against Queensland MPs who voted to legalise abortion

ABC  

Pro-life groups have threatened MPs who voted to remove abortion from Queensland's criminal code, vowing to remove them from office. Key points: The laws which allow access to abortion up to 22 weeks passed 50 to 41 Three LNP MPs voted with the Government after being given a conscience vote Cherish Life says it will target any MPs who supported …

Queensland abortion bill debate brings politicians to tears
6 years, 5 months ago

Queensland abortion bill debate brings politicians to tears

ABC  

Politicians have broken down in tears and recounted their personal experiences with pregnancy and termination while debating laws to decriminalise abortion in Queensland. Joan Pease, ALP Member for Lytton "I am asking all of those in the House to consider this bill from the perspective of the woman who seeks a termination," Ms Pease said. "History will record that you …

Abortion legalised in Queensland after historic vote in Parliament
6 years, 5 months ago

Abortion legalised in Queensland after historic vote in Parliament

ABC  

Nineteenth-century laws making abortion illegal in Queensland have been scrapped, in one of the state's biggest legislative reforms. Key points: The new laws mean women will be able to access abortion up to 22 weeks' gestation All MPs were given a conscience vote, passing the bill 50 to 41 The decision is the first change to the law in 119 …

Abortion laws that once led to police raids and arrests may be scrapped
6 years, 5 months ago

Abortion laws that once led to police raids and arrests may be scrapped

ABC  

Thirty-three years ago Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen ordered police raids on Queensland's abortion clinics because terminating a pregnancy was illegal. In 1985 police burst through the doors of the Greenslopes Fertility Control Clinic — one of Queensland's only abortion facilities. "Abortion was a very controversial issue and although it was sought by very many people, it was not talked about," Ms …

Renewed push to change 'discriminatory' and 'inadequate' abortion laws in South Australia
6 years, 5 months ago

Renewed push to change 'discriminatory' and 'inadequate' abortion laws in South Australia

ABC  

A push to repeal South Australia's abortion law is underway, with a coalition lobbying state parliamentarians to remove abortion from the state's crimes act. Key points: SA abortion laws have been labelled as "inadequate" and "discriminatory" Coalition group is lobbying to have abortion removed from state crimes act Health Minister says he has discussed the laws with the Attorney-General The …

Fact check: Will Queensland's proposed abortion laws allow unrestricted access after 22 weeks?
6 years, 5 months ago

Fact check: Will Queensland's proposed abortion laws allow unrestricted access after 22 weeks?

ABC  

The claim Protestors have marched through the streets of Brisbane voicing their opposition to proposed changes to abortion laws in Queensland. Would Queensland's proposed abortion laws allow unrestricted access to abortion after 22 weeks? While abortions would be available on request up to 22 weeks, the bill would require two doctors to consider "all the circumstances" before performing an abortion …

Proposed Queensland abortion laws will improve access for regional and remote women, pro-choice advocates say
6 years, 8 months ago

Proposed Queensland abortion laws will improve access for regional and remote women, pro-choice advocates say

ABC  

Pro-choice advocates have thrown their support behind proposed changes to Queensland's abortion laws, saying it will give women in regional and remote areas better access to services. "In the north and west of Queensland there is certainly a high proportion of medical practitioners who are conscientious objectors, but we do also believe that many medical practitioners have been fearful of …

Abortion law overhaul move 'long time coming', but where did it start and what happens next?
6 years, 8 months ago

Abortion law overhaul move 'long time coming', but where did it start and what happens next?

ABC  

As the Queensland Government moves closer towards decriminalising abortion, politicians are choosing their words carefully ahead of what is expected to be an emotional debate when it goes before Parliament later this year. Abortion would be allowed "on request" up to 22 weeks, although a doctor would be permitted to conscientiously object and refer the woman to a different practitioner. …

Queensland may soon overturn 19th century abortion laws
6 years, 8 months ago

Queensland may soon overturn 19th century abortion laws

ABC  

Abortion has been a jailable offence in Queensland since 1899, but that may soon change with government-backed legislation to decriminalise the procedure going to parliament next month. In December last year, the state's Labor government asked the Queensland Law Reform Commission to look into abortion law reforms. It includes: Abortion available up to 22 weeks Abortion available up to 22 …

Abortion still illegal in Queensland but change could be on the way
6 years, 9 months ago

Abortion still illegal in Queensland but change could be on the way

ABC  

While Ireland has just overwhelmingly voted to repeal its ban on abortion, terminating a pregnancy remains a crime in Queensland except in certain circumstances that do not include rape. Under the Criminal Code Act, which dates back to 1899, a woman who "unlawfully" has an abortion in Queensland can be sent to prison for up to seven years. Last year, …

Is abortion legal in Australia? It's complicated
6 years, 10 months ago

Is abortion legal in Australia? It's complicated

ABC  

Navigating abortion law in Australia is no easy feat. The bill will allow women to access to an abortion in the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, with a provision that terminations beyond that point must be approved by two doctors. Where to find help: Family Planning Alliance Australia has links to state and territory sexual health services Marie Stopes Australia …

Tasmanian election: Liberals stand by plan to send women interstate for abortions
7 years, 1 month ago

Tasmanian election: Liberals stand by plan to send women interstate for abortions

ABC  

A women's lobby group has attacked the Tasmania Liberals for continuing to block access to state-funded abortions. "This is another health procedure just like any other that needs to be provided appropriate treatment and access through the public system," Ms White said. "I find it outrageous, the Premier has denied women in Tasmania access to this procedure in the public …

Abortion laws making it harder for women to escape domestic violence, expert warns
7 years, 9 months ago

Abortion laws making it harder for women to escape domestic violence, expert warns

ABC  

Pregnant women in violent relationships are being further victimised by laws that criminalise abortion in some parts of Australia, doctors and health experts say. Key points: Under Queensland law, rape, incest and fetal anomaly are not sufficient grounds for an abortion Abortion services say one-third of their work is with abused women Abortion is legal if practitioner believes a women's …

NSW Parliament votes no on legislation to decriminalise abortion
7 years, 10 months ago

NSW Parliament votes no on legislation to decriminalise abortion

ABC  

A bill to decriminalise abortion has been voted down in New South Wales Parliament. Dr Faruqi said that the fight to decriminalise abortion would continue despite the voting down of her bill. Barriers greater for disadvantaged Labor MP Penny Sharpe, who has also written a bill to install safe access zones around abortion clinics, spoke in support of Dr Faruqi's …

Abortion decriminalisation bills withdrawn from Queensland Parliament agenda
8 years, 1 month ago

Abortion decriminalisation bills withdrawn from Queensland Parliament agenda

ABC  

A debate to decriminalise abortion in Queensland has been cancelled and the issue postponed until at least the next term of parliament, after LNP MPs indicated they would not support the proposal. Because not all Labor MPs were expected to support changing abortion laws, at least some LNP MPs would have been needed to vote in favour for the reforms …

Abortion access in Australia: How it works state by state
8 years, 1 month ago

Abortion access in Australia: How it works state by state

ABC  

A young woman in Australia looks at her pregnancy test. “We think there are about 80,000 a year,”Associate Professor Louise Keogh, a health sociologist at the University of Melbourne told Hack, “But the figures are old and not great because we don’t collect any routine statistics.” “Over their lifetime, the estimates are between a third and a quarter of all …

The fight for abortion law reform: Have feminists dropped the ball?
8 years, 4 months ago

The fight for abortion law reform: Have feminists dropped the ball?

ABC  

The election of Donald Trump has thrilled the pro-life movement in America, and may strengthen it here, too. "If feminists took their broad-ranging views firmly into the public arena and just insisted on them, we could," Dr Wainer, the inaugural secretary of the Abortion Law Reform Association in 1968, says. "It wasn't that the effort wasn't there," writer, feminist and …

Bligh out of touch on abortion
15 years, 5 months ago

Bligh out of touch on abortion

ABC  

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has misjudged public opinion on abortion laws, a new study has found. The study of public opinion in Australia and Queensland shows up to 60 per cent of voters believe women should have the right to an abortion if they wish. "Brisbane had 63 per cent saying women should be able to obtain an abortion readily …

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