Like the Abortion Law Reform (Miscellaneous Acts Amendment) Bill 2016 introduced last year by Dr Mehreen Faruqi, the Summary Offences Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2017, introduced in the NSW Legislative Council by the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC on Thursday creates safe access zones of 150 metres around abortion clinics. However, the Bill introduced by Dr Faruqi goes further and also includes provisions to finally decriminalise abortion in NSW and requiring doctors to refer patients on if they themselves have a conscientious objection to abortion.
