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Victorian parliament votes down expansion of state’s abortion laws

Holly HalesNCA NewsWire
People rallying in Melbourne to defend abortion rights. NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui
Camera IconPeople rallying in Melbourne to defend abortion rights. NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia

Victorian Labor MPs have voted against changing abortion laws and expanding access to terminations at some of the state’s public hospitals.

The bill had sought to prevent taxpayer-funded hospitals, including those associated with religious organisations, from refusing to perform abortions.

Changes in the bill also extended to providing end-of-life treatments for terminally ill patients sought to be euthanised.

However, it was defeated at 28-7 on Wednesday.

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Camera IconPeople rallying in Melbourne to defend abortion rights in July. NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia

Reason Party MP Fiona Patten had introduced the bill to parliament in the wake of Roe vs Wade being overturned and said its defeat was a loss for women’s rights.

“Extremely disappointing; this is a loss for women and gender diverse Victorians, and a loss for free and fair public health services,” she said in a tweet.

“(The defeat) is a win for religious ideology in the public health system.”

However, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas justified the government’s stance by saying Victoria already had relaxed abortion laws.

“We have here in Victoria the most progressive laws in the nation when it comes to ensuring women can access the sexual reproductive services they need, including access to termination of pregnancy,” she said before the vote.

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Camera IconFiona Patten from the Reason Party introduced a bill to parliament. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

The Opposition’s health spokesperson, Georgie Crozier, said the bill was “rushed” and intended to “whip up hysteria”.

“To say that women’s rights are being denied is not right,” she said.

“I don’t think Miss Patten has done the homework on this bill.

“She’s just rushed it in; she’s used some international hoo-ha in the US to bring that ideological error and whip up hysteria on an issue that just doesn’t exist in this state. It is ridiculous and it’s wrong.”

In Victoria, since 2008, abortions are allowed on request up to 24 weeks’ pregnancy.

After that time, up until the child’s birth, two doctors must agree that it is appropriate, based on the woman’s current and future physical, psychological and social circumstances.

Originally published as Victorian parliament votes down expansion of state’s abortion laws

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