Backbench MPs argue over abortion clinics ‘safe access zones’
GOVERNMENT backbench MPs have argued a controversial law creating “safe access zones” outside private abortion clinics will curtail free speech and religious freedoms.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GOVERNMENT backbench MPs have argued a controversial law creating “safe access zones” outside private abortion clinics will curtail free speech and religious freedoms, during a parliamentary debate today.
The private members bill bans filming or blocking anyone within 150 metres of clinics, as well as “causing actual or potential distress or anxiety” in the zones.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today she will support the bill, now being debated in the State Parliament.
MORE NEWS:
Mental health twist in Sara Huegill theft case
Man killed after being hit by bus
Body found wrapped in material on side of road
“Firstly the intent of the bill is to ensure women have safe access to those medical centres so obviously on that principle that’s why I’ll be supporting the bill,” she said.
“It’s not without its flaws technically and I appreciate some members might decide on the bill based on that, but I believe the intent of the bill is well intentioned.”
Epping MP Damien Tudehope said the legislation was “extreme and unjustified violation of free speech”.
“In my own experience people who engage in prayer vigils and sidewalk counselling are peaceful and caring citizens.
“For ideological reasons … what this bill does is turn those people into criminals.”
Greens MP Jenny Leong said it was about “making sure women are not faced with intimidation and harassment”.
Labor MP Penny Sharpe, the architect of the bill, said the proposed laws marked a “small but important” change for women in NSW.
But Ku-ring-gai MP Alister Henskens warned of an attack on freedom of speech and said it would achieve the opposite of its stated aims, by creating a new issue for protests.
“By creating these offences, this bill will make private abortion clinics areas where people who feel strongly about free speech will make protests,” he said.
“Rather than reducing the amount of protest around abortion clinics, and reducing the general anxiety around those premises, this bill creates a new context for civil protest.
“As I understand it, that has been the experience in Tasmania when its parliament passed similar laws similar to this one.
“What is now lawful conduct will be unlawful if it takes place in certain zones created by this bill.
“Why should the same conduct 151 metres away from an abortion clinic be lawful, but the same conduct, two metres closer to the clinic, at 149 metres be criminal, punishable by imprisonment?”