A contentious but watered-down bill to expand access to medical abortions in NSW has passed the parliament’s lower house. The Greens propelled bill that would allow nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to provide drugs to terminate early-stage pregnancies passed a conscience vote in NSW’s Legislative Assembly last week. On its third reading, 65 voted in favour of the bill with 20 against. First introduced by Greens MLC Amanda Cohn, the original bill included “radical” provisions that would have strengthened laws requiring conscientious objectors to refer patients to abortion providers and legislated a responsibility for the health minister to ensure abortion services were provided within a “reasonable distance” from people’s homes. The upper house significantly watered down its contents last week, but it is only the second Greens bill to pass both houses and brings state law into line with Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines. NSW Premier Chris Minns voted for the amended bill. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman also voted for the reform.
Source: Compiled by APN from media reports
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