Felicity Caldwell reports in the Brisbane Times (17.10.18) on the passing of the Palaszczuk government’s Termination of Pregnancy Bill through state parliament, which decriminalises abortion in Queensland.
‘Abortion will no longer be a crime in Queensland, after state MPs voted on Wednesday night to remove the procedure from the criminal code.
‘The historic reforms were passed in the Queensland Parliament on Wednesday night via a conscience vote, with the support of LNP members Tim Nicholls, Jann Stuckey and Steve Minnikin helping to ensure its success at the second reading and final vote.
‘The Termination of Pregnancy Bill removes the procedure from the criminal code, allows abortion on request up to 22 weeks and introduces safe access zones of 150 metres around clinics to shield women from harassment.
‘It also allows abortion after 22 weeks with consent from two doctors, and requires conscientious objectors to refer women to a medical practitioner who will perform a termination.
‘The bill passed its second reading 51 votes to 41, before moving on to consider amendments.’
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