Time for WA Parliament to end harassment at the doors of abortion clinics

The dignity of people seeking reproductive health care is a step closer to being protected in Western Australia, with the reintroduction of safe access zone laws into the WA Parliament. 

The proposed laws would create protective areas around abortion services where intimidating and harassing behaviour targeted at patients and staff is prohibited. 

Western Australia is the only state in Australia without safe access zones. 

Human Rights Law Centre Associate Legal Director Monique Hurley said:

“This is a significant moment for Western Australia. These laws are an important step towards bringing Western Australia’s laws in line with the rest of the country, where safe access zone laws play a critical role in promoting equality and protecting people’s right to access healthcare safely.”

“No person should have to run a gauntlet of abuse to see their doctor. This historic reform is long overdue. We urge all members of the Western Australian Parliament to stand up for reproductive rights and vote in favour of enacting safe access zones.”

The Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill was reintroduced into the Western Australian Parliament by the Deputy Premier, Roger Cook MLA, and Minister for Women’s Interests, Simone McGurk MLA. The laws previously passed the lower house, but lapsed before passing the upper house prior to the recent state election.

The laws are based on recommendations made by a report published by the WA Department of Health last year, which states that safe access zone laws modelled on Victoria’s should be introduced in Western Australia. 

The next step will be for the McGowan government to fully decriminalise abortion. Western Australia is the only state in Australia that still uses the criminal law to regulate abortion. Outdated hurdles to accessing abortion care force people in distressing situations to fly interstate to access services. 

“Until abortion is removed completely from the criminal law, pregnant people’s reproductive health will continue to be compromised. The McGowan government must remove all barriers to timely reproductive healthcare,” Hurley said.

Media contact: Michelle Bennett, Engagement Director: 0419 100 519