Time to repeal outdated abortion laws in New South Wales and Queensland

“We have to make sure you meet certain criteria”: exploring patient experiences of the criminalisation of abortion in Australia

“…Indeed, clinicians, scholars and advocates have been urging policy makers to liberalise the abortion laws for more than 20 years. 19,20 Although success has been incremental, advocates are optimistic that the momentum from the 2019 liberalisation of NSW abortion laws -which took abortion out of the criminal code and regualted it as a medical procedure -will be useful in continuing to campaign for national decriminalisation. In South Australia, abortion is still subject to criminal laws and must take place in a hospital to be considered lawful.…”

“Too much too soon, let me out of here!” Psychiatric and obstetric implications of a child’s pregnancy

“…11,12 While these considerations have greater legal importance in requests for late termination, they remain important in capacity considerations in a young woman at any gestation, specifically the evaluation of whether she has a reasonable understanding of the ramifications of her decision. 13 In jurisdictions, where the legal status of termination remains unclear, delays are possible as wary clinicians are likely to defer decision-making to the courts. 13 Non-maleficence: compared to cosmetic surgery, which might be deemed lawful based on an underage girl's consent, 7 abortion is more likely to be viewed as grievous assault, particularly in jurisdictions where abortion has not been decriminalised.…”

“…13 In jurisdictions, where the legal status of termination remains unclear, delays are possible as wary clinicians are likely to defer decision-making to the courts. 13 Non-maleficence: compared to cosmetic surgery, which might be deemed lawful based on an underage girl's consent, 7 abortion is more likely to be viewed as grievous assault, particularly in jurisdictions where abortion has not been decriminalised. Research on the effect on women who were declined a request for abortion indicates that women who receive a wanted abortion are better able to aspire for the future than those who are denied an abortion.…”

“…13 In jurisdictions, where the legal status of termination remains unclear, delays are possible as wary clinicians are likely to defer decision-making to the courts. 13…”

Reproductive justice: A framework for abortion law reform

“…The Court ordered that the girl's father be included in the decision-making -against the girl's express wishes that the father not be told. 23 Where abortion remains illegal, obtaining a court order protects decisions of treating doctors against possible criminal action. By contrast, surgery such as a tonsillectomy, or administration of drugs such as steroids or cancer drugs would not require the court's permission.…”