The controversial New South Wales Abortion Law Reform Amendment bill is expected to become law after a vote in the NSW Parliament this week, possibly as early as Tuesday (May 13).
It was passed by the Upper House Legislative Council last week and is set to be debated in the Lower House Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
However, three of its worst proposals have been dropped or watered down, thanks partly to a concerted pro-life campaign which has seen thousands repeatedly protest outside state parliament.
Last Wednesday, it is estimated 10,000 turned out to demonstrate against the proposed law.
NSW LABOR CONDEMNED FOR “RAMMING” BILL THROUGH PARLIAMENT
One of the organisers Dr. Joanna Howe condemned the state Labor government for rushing the bill through the legislative chambers.
“I’m still in shock at the arrogrance of [Premier] Chris Minns and NSW Labor in allocating government time and prioritising this radical Greens abortion bill, so that it can be rammed through the parliament in unprecedented time.”
“I’m absolutely appalled at this breach of trust and although our campaign has successfully gutted the bill of 3 out of 4 of its worst elements, I’m devastated that the very worst aspect of it still remains and is likely to become law.”
HOW THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL HAS BEEN “GUTTED”
At this stage, the push to allow nurse practitioners and midwives to prescribe abortion pills is expected to pass.
However, pro-life hospitals will not be forced to perform abortions and pro-life heath practitioners will not have to be complicit in them.
A provision that might have widened the definition of those medical practitioners further, and was seen as overly vague, has also been dropped.
The Health Minister will not have the power – as proposed under the bill – to require all hospitals to provide abortions.
A section of the bill that would have made a conscientious objector provide a formal referral for a patient seeking an abortion to another medical practitioner who would carry out a termination, has been dropped.
WHAT THESE CHANGES MEAN FOR DOCTORS
John Sandeman writes in Anglican Ink: “This means that the 2019 rule pointing patients seeking abortions to the NSW Health Department website stands.”
No formal referrals will be required which pro-life advocates described as making doctors “complicit” in abortions.
Dr. Howe outlined the third win for pro-lifers: “The attempt by The Greens to remove data keeping requirements and push abortion underground has FAILED”
“And instead of covering up abortions, a new amendment by MLC Robert Borsak for better data reporting has PASSED in a dramatic final vote 21:19.”
“This is actually an incredible victory. We took a bad provision, removed it and introduced our own amendment to improve on the status quo.”
PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES AHEAD OF LOWER HOUSE VOTE
Dr. Howe is urging the bill’s opponents to rally outside the parliament on Tuesday in the hope of convincing MPs to amend the requirement for nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion pills.
Australian Christian Lobby NSW Director Joshua Rowe is hopeful of some amendments, including the reduction of “the dangerously high” 22-week limit on use of the pills.
He expects the new threshold “to sit around 9–12 weeks.”
He writes: “In my meetings with Labor, we’ve drawn attention to new research that casts doubt on any claim this amendment is about women’s health.”
“A study published just last week revealed that nearly 11% of 866,000 women experienced serious adverse events within 45 days of taking the abortion drug mifepristone.”
“These events included sepsis, infection, and hemorrhage, with just under 5% of women requiring an Emergency Room visit.”
“IT’S HARD TO FATHOM WHY THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY”
“The voluntary inducement of labour to terminate a pregnancy is not a minor medical procedure.”
“Beyond the tragedy of the unborn life lost, the physical toll on a woman’s health is significant, and that’s not to mention the psychological trauma.”
“It’s hard to fathom why this is the top priority for women’s health policy in NSW.”
“Why are we not instead focusing on comprehensive support for women in crisis pregnancies, improving care for those suffering from endometriosis, or enhancing postnatal support for mothers after traumatic births?”
“The answer, sadly, seems ideological.”
“SAFETY OF WOMEN IN NSW REGIONS DISREGARDED”
Mr. Rowe observes: “Our health system in NSW is under immense strain. Across the regions, people are struggling to access dialysis, cardiac care, and other critical health services.”
“Yet Parliament is tied up debating the Greens’ ideological crusade to expand abortion, at all costs.”
“It’s a push that disregards not only the vulnerable lives of the unborn, but also the safety of women in regional areas, where access to emergency medical care is already limited.”
“NSW LABOR SHAMELESS IN INVITING PRO-LIFE POPE LEO TO SYDNEY”
Dr Joanna Howe points out the hypocrisy of Premier Minns inviting the newly elected Pope Leo to Sydney for the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress.
“Wow, Chris Minns and NSW Labor are SHAMELESS. Doing a dirty deal with the Greens to ram a radical abortion bill through parliament and in the next breath seeking to use Pope Leo XIV to win back religious votes.”
“They would do well to heed what Pope Leo XIV has said about abortion, urging all of us to reclaim the belief that the mother’s womb is the primal sanctuary, where a helpless, innocent, fragile, tiny baby is safe, secure, nurtured and protected.”
Dr Howe has placed Mr. Minns and Labor on notice: “If this bill passes the Lower House we WILL make it our mission to attack Labor where it hurts: in marginal seats over the next 20 months and we boot them out.”
“That’s the only language they understand ,so let’s use it.”
