The New South Wales Parliament is preparing to vote on a critical piece of legislation that could significantly improve abortion access across the state.
A bill introduced by Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn, already passed by the upper house, would allow nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe the termination medication MS-2 Step up to nine weeks gestation. A vote in the lower house is expected this week.
As reported by Women’s Agenda, the bill has received support from both Premier Chris Minns and opposition health spokesperson Kellie Sloane. However, it remains divisive within the Liberal Party, with Opposition Leader Mark Speakman yet to state his position.
While the upper house saw support from Liberal MPs Natalie Ward and Jacqui Munro, public debate has been marred by inflammatory rhetoric from some conservatives, including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Locally, the Illawarra Mercury reports that despite abortion being decriminalised in 2019, accessing services in the Illawarra remains “difficult, costly and emotionally exhausting.”
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, said only around 12 GPs in the region provide abortion care. Women must know who these providers are, navigate appointment wait times, and often pay out-of-pocket costs of $500–$600. If care isn’t accessed before nine weeks, surgical abortion is the only option, often requiring travel to Sydney.
“The ability for women to access abortions in the Illawarra that are timely, accessible and non-judgemental remains an issue,” Stevenson said.
She added that the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has a nurse practitioner ready to provide abortion care, and medical termination of pregnancies if the legislation passes.
“We are disappointed but not surprised that the amendment addressing conscientious objectors was removed. Abortion is a medical procedure – nothing more, nothing less. By law, any healthcare provider who refuses to provide it must be required to offer a direct and immediate referral,” she said.
“This isn’t about conscience, it’s about control. Removing this amendment from the bill simply perpetuates a deeply misogynistic culture that punishes women for making decisions about their own bodies.”
At the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, over 100 women a month search our website for information on how to access abortion care.
Ms Stevenson said Wollongong Hospital must step up to meet the demand.
“This is a healthcare service with real demand. We don’t debate people’s morals when they need a colonoscopy or heart surgery.
“Abortion is safe. It is legal. And it is healthcare. This reform must pass, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because every delay, every stigma-fuelled barrier, is hurting real women in our communities.”
NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park spoke in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon and said it was a difficult issue for many, but also said “abortion care is healthcare”.
