Women in Queensland are now free to seek out an abortion without fear of criminal punishment, following an historic vote in state parliament overnight.
As the ABC reports, a 119-year-old law has finally been changed, with the new changes passing in state parliament following a 50-41 vote.
The new laws now allow women to request an abortion up to 22 weeks gestation. Abortions are also available beyond this point, providing that the medical practitioner performing the termination has consulted with another medical practitioner, and both agree the procedure should be performed.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was proud to welcome the change in state law. “This is a historic day for Queensland. The Palaszczuk Government is proud to deliver on our election commitment to modernise and clarify the laws around termination of pregnancy,” she explained.
“I believe, and I have always believed, a woman should be able to talk to her doctor about her own health and her own body without it being a crime.”
As News.com.au points out, there was also a rather visible gender divide in the breakdown of the votes, with 35 of the ‘no’ votes belonging to male MPs.
This new vote brings Queensland up to speed with the majority of other states and territories in Australia, leaving New South Wales one of the only places where abortion is still considered a crime.
Currently, abortion is only considered legal in NSW if a doctor deems the physical and mental health of a woman to be in danger.
Despite abortion still being a crime under state law, NSW was progressive enough to pass ‘safe access zone’ laws earlier this year, meaning that anyone who protests within 150 metres of a clinic or hospital that provides this service will face jail time of six-to-twelve months.
