WA Parliament must vote for safe access to abortion care

The Human Rights Law Centre is calling for the safety and privacy of people seeking abortion care to finally be protected in Western Australia, with the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2021 set to be debated in the Legislative Council today. 

The laws would create protective zones around abortion services, in which intimidating and harassing behaviour targeted at patients and staff will be prohibited.

Safe access zones are in place in every state and territory except Western Australia.

The Human Rights Law Centre’s Associate Legal Director Adrianne Walters said:

“For far too long, women in WA have been targeted by anti-abortion activists and had to run a gauntlet of abuse to see their doctor. Safe access zone laws have a critical role to play in making sure that no person is harassed or filmed by strangers as they walk to their doctor’s front door.

“Western Australia is the only state in Australia without safe access zones around abortion clinics. The bill before the Legislative Council is modelled on Victoria’s laws, which has been upheld by the High Court of Australia. 

“We commend members of the Legislative Assembly who supported safe access zone laws. We now urge all members of the Legislative Council to do the same by passing the Bill without amendments and stand up for safe access to healthcare. This reform is long overdue.”

The next step will be for the McGowan Government to fully decriminalise and update the state’s abortion laws, following the recent examples of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

“Western Australia’s abortion laws are outdated and causing harm – some women have been forced to fly interstate in highly distressing circumstances to access essential reproductive healthcare,” Walters said.

“Access to a safe, legal abortion is a critical healthcare right. The McGowan government must remove all barriers to timely reproductive healthcare in Western Australia.”

Evan Schuurman, Media and Communications Manager, 0406 117 937, evan.schuurman@hrlc.org.au
Michelle Bennett, Engagement Director, 0419 100 519, michelle.bennett@hrlc.org.au