Bill passed | Abortion decriminalised in New South Wales
The controversial bill to decriminalise abortion has passed both houses of Parliament and become law.
The legislation passed through the upper house 26 votes to 14 after a marathon sitting last night and then made it through the final vote in the lower house this morning.
The 119-year-old law has been changed after more than 70 hours of debate in Parliament and an enormous amount of scrutiny from the public.
It comes with several amendments, including clarifications on consent, conscientious objection, a review into gender selection and extra advice for late-term terminations.
The author of the private member’s bill, Independent MP Alex Greenwich, says he’s comfortable with the changes and has thanked his colleagues.
The Catholic Archibishop of Sydney has hit out at the decision saying it is a “defeat for humanity”.