NSW is the only Australian state and territory where abortion is still a crime, but a new bill with cross-party support will change that.
The bill explicitly states a woman who has an abortion is not committing an offence, and allows abortions on request up to 22 weeks’ gestation performed by a registered doctor.
Women beyond 22 weeks would need the consent of two doctors, and emergency provisions would allow a doctor to perform a termination without consulting a second doctor to save the life of a woman or another fetus.
Doctors who have a conscientious objection must disclose this to their patient and refer or transfer her to the care of another doctor who has no objection.
Source: NSW set to overturn ‘archaic’ abortion ban in historic vote