Western Australia’s abortion laws are about be changed to mirror the laws of other states across the country. Women living in WA will access abortions more easily, and earlier.
A bill proposing the changes was introduced to the West Australian parliament yesterday that removes the need for a woman to be referred for an abortion by a doctor, the need for mandatory counselling and the need for doctors who “conscientiously object” to abortions to refer patients to doctors who offer it.
The bill also proposed the removal of the legal provisions from the state’s Criminal Code.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the bill aims at changing the laws to streamline access to abortion for the women of WA.
“Women go from GP to GP to GP seeking assistance for a medical abortion, for example,” Sanderson said on ABC Radio Perth yesterday.
“By which time they’ve cycled around several doctors who are … unwilling to prescribe it, and then they’ve reached the gestational limit for a medical abortion.”
“They’re then up for hundreds of dollars and a surgical abortion and then they still need to find another GP to refer them to the clinic.”
“So we’re removing those early on barriers to make it easier and more streamlined for women to access what is essentially a decision for them and them alone.”
Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery said she is “confident that the Parliament of Western Australia in 2023 will reflect what the community wants.”
“I’m proud to be part of a Government that is modernising Western Australia’s outdated abortion laws,” she said in a statement. “Women in this State have a right to make decisions over their bodies. These laws will enable women to make those decisions with dignity.”
“Abortion is a critical component of women’s healthcare and no woman should be forced to travel interstate or risk her own health because she can’t access an abortion.”
The proposed bill will also remove the need for abortions after twenty weeks to be assessed and approved by a panel of doctors a woman will likely never meet.
Instead, it will be mandatory for a woman’s doctor to consult with another doctor who will need to agree with their decision.
“What the law will do will provide more time for the women and their families to get a second opinion, to get other advice, and to make the best decision for them in a private and dignified way, where currently that is not the case,” Health Minister Sanderson said.
Unfortunately, the bill won’t be voted on until August, as parliament goes on its winter break from next week.