Greens abortion access bill introduced to NSW Parliament
Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn has introduced a bill to address barriers to abortion care in NSW.
*A recording of Dr Cohn delivering her speech in the Legislative Council chamber is available. Please contact Josh - details at bottom of media release*
Despite abortion being legal in NSW since 2019, services are not being provided consistently. As a result, people are forced to delay treatment, travel hundreds of kilometres, or pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to access private care.
The Greens’ Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Health Care Access) Bill 2025:
- Ensures abortion services are provided across the state within a reasonable distance of residents’ homes, and information about access to abortion services is publicly available,
- Expands access by allowing nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe medical abortions up to 9 weeks gestation, as per TGA guidelines,
- Removes unnecessary mandatory reporting requirements that create barriers for practitioners,
- Requires practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will provide the service.
The bill includes findings and recommendations from NSW Health's recent review of the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019. The review recommended expanding prescription of services to nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives, highlighted barriers due to conscientious objection and referral issues, and found mandatory reporting requirements to be onerous and unnecessary.
Research has shown that a majority of NSW cities and towns are “abortion deserts”, meaning the nearest service is more than 160 km away. Public hospitals refusing to provide abortion services have been widely reported, including recently at Queanbeyan and Orange hospitals.
Quotes attributable to Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens spokesperson for Health including Mental Health, former GP and medical abortion provider:
“Abortion is health care – and while the law changed in 2019, access to care has not.
“Abortion services are not something public hospitals with the capability to provide them should be able to opt out of.
“This bill offers practical reform that brings NSW in line with other states and territories, and makes the system work better for patients and health workers.
“I acknowledge the Premier and Health Minister making it clear that abortion rights will not be wound back under this Government, but continuing with business as usual is not enough. Access to abortion services in our public health system in NSW must be enshrined in our laws.
“Changing laws won’t fix this problem by itself. The NSW government must also fund abortion services in public hospitals and adequately support health workers providing this care.
“The Greens will keep fighting until abortion is safe, legal, and free in every corner of NSW.”
Dr Cohn’s record on this issue in the NSW Parliament:
First question in the Parliament as a newly elected MP in 2023
Private members’ statement June 2023
Private members’ statement September 2024
Private members’ statement November 2024
Take note debate November 2024
Discussing Greens’ forthcoming bill in the Guardian December 2024
Questioning NSW Health Secretary November 2024
Responding to regional hospitals banning abortion services November 2024
Media contact: Dylan Arvela [email protected] 02 9230 2566