Member

I have always argued for full decriminalisation of abortion, but, ironically, Clause 191 does not do that. Clause 191, tabled by Tonia Antoniazzi in the other place, is more limited. It simply disapplies existing criminal law for women acting in relation to their own pregnancy at any gestation. It is important to understand that it is limited in that way. It is not a change in the law regarding the provision of abortion services in a healthcare setting. It does not change the grounds for abortion, the time limit of 24 weeks or the requirement for two doctors. Non-consensual or coerced abortion is still a crime at any gestation. All these things are still true. In other words, it is quite limited. There might be problems with that, but it is true. Anyone who assists a woman to obtain an abortion outside the law—this includes medical professionals—is liable for prosecution. If you are coerced by another, that coercer is committing a crime and can therefore be caught. It is important that we get the sense of this. What it does is ensure that the criminal law will not be used against any woman who ends her own pregnancy, even if it is over the 24-week limit.