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Lawyers respond angrily to delay on abortion decriminalisation vote
The Berejiklian government in New South Wales has postponed a vote to decriminalise abortion in the premier state, which has been labelled “an insult” and shows a “lack of respect” for women.
Jerome Doraisamy
The vote to decriminalise abortion in NSW – on which debate was supposed to begin in the state’s upper house yesterday – has been delayed until after 17 September 2019, following pressure from members of Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s own party, who are reportedly concerned the bill is being rushed. The delay will allow amendments to be moved and considered.
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The move has angered members of the legal profession, with the Human Rights Law Centre saying the premier’s decision to delay showed a “lack of respect” for women in NSW.
“For decades, women in NSW have tirelessly fought to decriminalise abortion. This bill is the result of years of work and it didn’t just spring up overnight. It presents a strong model that is endorsed by leading medical, legal and women’s organisations,” said HRLC Sydney legal director Edwina MacDonald.
“Premier Berejiklian knew this when she supported the passing of the bill in the Legislative Assembly just a fortnight ago. Nothing has changed. Passing this bill without delay is what is needed right now to improve reproductive healthcare in NSW.
“It is unacceptable that, in 2019, women still fear prosecution when accessing an abortion and are still treated like they are incapable of making decisions about their bodies and lives. The values of 1900 should not dictate a person’s right to access the healthcare they need in 2019. It’s time the NSW Parliament got on with it.”
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights supported this, with president Kerry Weste saying the organisation was “very disappointed” at the delay.
“Those opposed to decriminalising abortion in NSW have argued that members of the NSW Parliament have not had an opportunity to properly consider the issue of abortion law reform and have accused the bill of being ‘rushed through’ parliament. This simply is not true. These reforms are long overdue. Women and doctors in NSW have waited 119 years for these reforms. Laws decriminalising abortion have been subjected to an overwhelming level of scrutiny, public consultation and debate in NSW and other Australian states.”
Marque Lawyers managing partner Michael Bradley took to Twitter, posting: “We are captive to reactionaries with weird obsessions about other people’s bodies. The modern Liberal Party is anything but liberal.”
Australian Women Lawyers took a more conciliatory approach, with AWL president Adrienne Morton affirming its stance that the bill should be voted on without further delay.
“AWL supports full decriminalisation of abortion in all Australian jurisdictions. Polling also demonstrates it has a high level of public support. This important reform should be adopted as soon as possible,” Ms Morton stated.
