55 per cent of Daily Telegraph readers in favour of abortion decriminalisation

Daily Telegraph readers are split on new legislation which would decriminalise abortion in NSW as the bill is introduced to the lower house today. SEE THE POLL RESULTS

• Gladys flags support for decriminalisation

Public opinion is divided on a planned reform bill, supported by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, which would see abortions decriminalised in NSW.

The Reproductive Healthcare Reform Bill will be introduced today and needs 47 votes to pass the lower house. It would allow abortions upon request from a registered doctor up to 22 weeks gestation.

In a Daily Telegraph Facebook poll of more than 11,000 people, 55 per cent of voters said they supported decriminalisation while 45 per cent were against the move.

People gathered at a pro-choice rally in Sydney last month.

The new legislation will be introduced to parliament today.

Opinions were split over the definition of a child and whether 22 weeks was “too late” to terminate a foetus while those in support of the bill argued that it was a “woman’s choice.”

“Until anyone walks in another person’s shoes then maybe you can comment. God forbid some of you may end up in a dilemma like a woman having to make a choice,” one voter, Clare Fox said.

Another woman, Sherry Mclain argued that the child’s rights weren’t being considered, “Someone must stand up for them especially when so many are immorally not standing in for the children,” she said.

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“Unless there is something genetically wrong then (sic) that is way too late. I don’t disagree with abortion but I do disagree with abortion at that late stage,” another person said.

Others had a more practical approach to the argument, “If you don’t like abortions, don’t have one,” Cara McLennan said.

As part of the new bill, abortions would still be legal beyond 22 weeks however women will need the approval of two doctors who would determine whether they have a valid medical reason.

The legislation is designed to bring NSW into line with other states and territories by regulating the termination of pregnancies as a medical procedure. The bill is being overseen by Health Minister Brad Hazzard and has been drafted by a group of cross-party MPs including Labor’s Penny Sharpe and Jo Haylen, and National Trevor Khan.

It is also being co-sponsored by 15 MPs from various parties.

Ms Berejiklian and a number of senior ministers including Sarah Mitchell and Stuart Ayres signalled on Monday they would support the legislation.

Abortions are currently still dealt with under the state’s 119-year-old criminal code.

MPs who are co-sponsoring the bill:

— Shelley Hancock MP (Liberal Party)

— Trish Doyle MP (Labor Party)

— The Hon Brad Hazzard MP (Liberal Party)

— Ryan Park MP (Labor Party)

— Jenny Leong MP (Greens)

— The Hon Leslie Williams MP (National Party)

— The Hon Penny Sharpe MP (Labor Party)

— Alex Greenwich MP (Independent)

— The Hon Trevor Khan MP (National Party)

— Abigail Boyd MLC (Greens)

— Jo Haylen MP (Labor Party)

— Jenny Aitchison MP (Labor Party)

— Felicity Wilson MP (Liberal Party)

— Greg Piper MP (Independent)

— The Hon Emma Hurst MLC (Animal Justice Party)