Queensland could decriminalise abortion by end of 2018
ORTION will be removed from Queensland’s Criminal Code so women can procure a termination on request until 22 weeks gestation, under new laws to be introduced in State Parliament next month.
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ORTION will be removed from Queensland’s Criminal Code so women can procure a termination on request until 22 weeks gestation, under new laws to be introduced in State Parliament next month.
But they will need the support of their doctor, in consultation with another medical professional, if they are more than 22 weeks – unless it’s an emergency.
Doctors will be able to conscientiously object as long as they refer their patient to another medical professional who is not a conscientious objector.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday confirmed plans to bring draft laws to decriminalise abortion to State Parliament next month, with plans to have them passed in the October sittings.
“This is a health issue for a woman. It is not for me to tell another woman what to do when she is confronted with these health issues,” Ms Palaszczuk said after handing down the Queensland Law Reform Commission’s report.
The report forms the basis for the Government’s proposed laws.
The Commission found that about 99 per cent of abortions were performed before 20 weeks gestation, but it recommended 22 weeks because that “represents the stage immediately before the threshold of viability under current clinical practice”.
The new laws will also allow for new buffer or “safe access zones” to be established around abortion clinics to stop harassment and filming of patients and staff. Those caught breaking the rules would face up to one year in prison.
A new offence will also be created to stop unqualified persons performing abortions. It will attract a jail sentence of up to seven years.
Describing it as a proud day, Ms Palaszczuk reconfirmed her plans to give Labor MPs a conscience vote and called on the LNP to do the same.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington indicated such a conscience vote was likely, but said she wanted to see the laws first.
Pro-life group Cherish Life yesterday issued a statement slamming the laws as radical.
In support of the laws were the Australian Medical Association’s Queensland branch, along with other groups such as Children by Choice and the Queensland Nurses Union.
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