Labor's health spokesman Ryan Park says he's "delighted" that the historic bill to decriminalise abortion has moved forward.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Keira MP was one of 15 MPs from across the political divide to co-sponsor the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill which passed the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
NSW is the only state in Australia that has not decriminalised abortion.
The proposed legislation would excise abortion from the state's 119-year-old criminal code and create a standalone healthcare act to regulate the procedure.
It will allow for abortion on request for women up to 22 weeks' gestation performed by a registered doctor. Women beyond 22 weeks would need the consent of two doctors.
On Thursday, MPs voted in favour of the bill 59 to 31, after three days of lengthy and passionate debate. The bill will now be examined by an Upper House Committee and then considered by the Legislative Council towards the end of the month.
"I am hoping that this legislation, which at its heart will lead to the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW, will be passed by the Upper House and become legislation in the very near future," Mr Park said.
"I acknowledge that my decision may disappoint some within my community and I respect their opinions on this sensitive issue.
"I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to contact me about this important legislation as well as the many women's health services across our region who do outstanding work each and every day."
Mr Park spoke in Parliament in support of the legislation when it was introduced, and during the amendments debated on Thursday evening.
Several MPs raised concerns over late-term abortions and a provision relating to conscientious objection by medical practitioners, as well as the amount of time given to consult on the bill.
However Mr Park told Parliament this week: "The current legislation is inherently discriminatory. It has entrenched stigma, it is outdated and it is archaic.
"This decriminalisation should be viewed as an important step towards improving women's access to health care when they need it most.
"The current legislation has led to confusion, and by removing this as a criminal offence will allow doctors and medical practitioners to carry out their work without the fear of prosecution."
Mr Park said while the purpose of the bill was to decriminalise abortion, it was also about "giving women access to rights, dignity and safety".
He said access to terminations for women living outside Sydney, remained an "enormous personal and financial challenge".
"Women have fought hard to be able to get rights such as being able to vote and to be counted as a human being without a man attached. Surely in 2019 they have the right to make decisions over their body and their reproductive health?"
The Legislative Assembly also unanimously condemned gender-based abortion during the passing of the bill.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said MPs agreed to the Ministry of Health undertaking a review to determine whether the practice of gender-based terminations occurs within NSW. It would report its findings back within a year.
"I am concerned at some misinformed commentary that seeks to overshadow the intention of the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019, which was to put terminations into a medical and health framework instead of the Crimes Act," Mr Hazzard said.
"There was debate about gender selection, including that there are some inherited medical conditions that are gender-specific.
"My National Party colleague, the Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams moved that NSW would seek to get the facts, with a review. The House was unanimous its opposition to terminations being performed for the purpose of gender selection."
