Greens push for abortion to be safeguarded in Victorian Constitution

The Victorian Greens will this week introduce a bill to enshrine abortion access into the state’s constitution but it is not clear if the push has enough support to hit the super majority required to pass.

Abortion would be enshrined in the Victorian Constitution under a new push by the state Greens.

The new private member’s bill, which will be introduced to parliament this week by the Victorian Greens Party, would move to safeguard access to abortion services amid concerns there are not enough providers in many areas across the state.

However, it’s not yet clear whether the move will receive enough support in parliament with Premier Jacinta Allan saying the government needs more detail about the bill and the state Coalition to allow its members to have a conscience vote on the issue.

Victorian Greens health services spokesman Dr Sarah Mansfield said it was necessary to protect the right to abortion in the state’s constitution given it was being attacked in other jurisdictions.

“People should always have the right to choose when it comes to their body,” she said.

“Around the world, and here in Australia, we are seeing many in power increasingly emboldened to attack reproductive rights for political purposes.”

Victorian Greens health services spokesman Dr Sarah Mansfield. Picture: Supplied

Dr Mansfield said reproductive rights have been hard-won “but it’s clear the fight isn’t over”.

“Governments shouldn’t be able to restrict access to fundamental health care based on political agendas,” she said.

“We can’t afford to go backwards. We already know that many people, especially regional Victorians, are already facing harmful barriers when it comes to accessing abortions.”

Dr Mansfield called on the Allan government to support the bill, noting it needed a 60 per cent super majority in both houses to pass parliament.

On Tuesday, Premier Jacinta Allan said she supported the move in principle had not seen the contents of what was being proposed.

“We all should have the right to choose what’s right for our bodies,” he said.

“We should all have access. Women should have access to safe reproductive choices. In terms of the legislature, what’s being proposed in the Greens political party, I haven’t seen the content of what they’re proposing, so I’m speaking very much in a personal capacity, because I feel deeply committed to this issue.”

The Greens want to enshrine abortion access into the Victorian Constitution. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The Allan government has previously vowed to not support private member’s bills but may introduce their own if they warrant the change necessary.

Opposition leader John Pesutto confirmed coalition members would be free to vote on their conscience on the issue, adding he was personally was in support of Victoria’s abortion laws.

“There will be no change to abortion laws under a government I lead,” he said.

“Where others bring votes to the floor of the parliament, Liberal members will have a free vote.

“On a personal level, I support the law as it stands in Victoria which was the culmination of a long and considered debate in 2008 and is settled.”

Victoria has some of the most open abortion laws in the world.

Women in Victoria can have an abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, although most are performed in the first 12 weeks.

Abortion can still be accessed after 24 weeks in some circumstances but must be approved by two doctors.