Latest news with #JennyLeong
SBS Australia
16-05-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
Passionate debate as bill to improve abortion access in regional NSW passes state parliament
"After weeks of fierce political debate and public protests, New South Wales has become the final state in the country to decriminalise abortion." That's an SBS news report from 2019, marking the passage of a bill taking abortion out of the crimes act. It was hailed as a giant step forward for women by Greens MP Jenny Leong. "It is a truly historic day to see that actually we are moving closer to the idea of gender equality by recognising that women don't need laws made in this parliament controlling what happens to their own bodies." But since then, advocates say access to terminations has been inconsistent. Some terminations are known as medical abortions, performed with medication, while others are carried out surgically. Premier Chris Minns sought to reassure the public in state parliament last year after media reports that abortion services at the public hospital in the town of Orange had been severely restricted. "That level of abortion services that's historically been provided at Orange Hospital has been restored and is now available to the community... Mr Speaker, I'm also aware of a media report suggesting that Queanbeyan Hospital has closed down abortion services: our understanding is that that media report is inaccurate." Despite these reassurances, advocates say data shows access to abortions across the entire public system continues to be a problem, especially in rural and regional areas. Analysis from Family Planning Australia has found 28 per cent of New South Wales local government areas had no doctor providing medical abortion scripts, and that access dropped off sharply outside metropolitan Sydney. Still in state parliament six years after abortion's decriminalisation, Jenny Leong has told the House people seeking procedural terminations have often had to travel more than 160 kilometres to access them. "Only three of the 220 public hospitals consistently and openly provide abortion services. Rural and regional communities disproportionately bear the brunt of this inconsistency, with people in these areas forced to drive hours simply to access their right to choose." The Greens introduced legislation in state parliament aimed at addressing these issues, led by former Albury Wodonga GP Amanda Cohn. "It was not an easy decision as a country doctor to give up general practice and become a politician. I made a promise to my patients when I left general practice that I would continue to care for them from the Parliament instead of the clinic. And today especially, I'm keeping that promise." The bill stirred passionate debate as it moved through Parliament. Outside there were protests, organised by anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe. Tony Abbott was among those to make his views known at the rally, with the conservative former prime minister claiming the bill would force health professionals who had a conscientious objection to abortion to facilitate the termination of pregnancies. "It's a shameful attempt to cancel Christianity. It's an assault on our fundamental rights and freedoms, and my friends, it must be fought. It must be fought." There were also passionate sentiments inside Parliament, as MPs prepared for a conscience vote on the issue. Representatives from both major parties had concerns, including Liberal MP Tanya Davies, who described the original amendments as morally abhorrent, and Labor MP Hugh McDermott, who said it was a political stunt. MLC John Ruddick has also objected. "Regardless of anyone's view on abortion itself, this bill is government over-reach that tramples on freedom of association and freedom of conscience. This bill uses the force of the state to take abortion from something that is merely legal to a positive right, an entitlement that must be provided to everyone in a manner and location convenient to them, at the cost of taxpayers and potentially with the involvement of people and institutions who think it is morally repugnant." An AAP fact check has refuted some of these concerns. It concluded that the reforms would not result in the closure of Christian and Catholic hospitals that refuse to perform abortion procedures. The fact check also found that that the bill only applies to public institutions and contains no mechanism to enforce compliance. Meanwhile, Jenny Leong was among those to express her full support. "If we do not increase access for people in this state, there is a genuine risk that there will be more harm done. Harm done and trauma caused to not just the health professionals that are finding themselves unable to deliver the services that they wish to do, that they're trained to do, but also the impact that it will have on so many people who are unable to access this critical health care." The Premier has also backed the legislation after saying there was misinformation being spread about the bill. He also said he was wary of what he described as the Americanisation of the abortion debate in Australia. "My experience tells me that most people will not react to that well, in the sense that they'll, you know, people come to, particularly these debates, with certain views. But we've never gone down that American-style misinformation campaign, and you know, it's an element of Australian politics I think we can probably do without." The legislation was ultimately passed in the lower house 65 votes to 20. It means once formalities are completed on the bill's return to the upper house, nurses and midwives will be allowed to prescribe drugs for medical abortions, in line with guidelines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Sydney University rural health researcher Anna Noonan has described the change as a positive but incremental step, saying access to surgical abortion procedures will remain an issue because they're only really available in urban centres. Chris Minns had said in 2024 that the government was aware of these limitations and wanted to guarantee funding was in place. 'That includes funding the SEARCH project, which is about improving access to affordable pregnancy abortions, particularly in regional and rural New South Wales.' Amanda Cohn meanwhile says while such funding is important, there is yet more work to be done to resolve access more completely. But she is convinced this legislation is an important first step. "I acknowledge that this bill - while necessary - is not a silver bullet (a simple solution to a complex problem). Cultural change within an organisation as big as a local health district takes time. Training, educating, and supporting health workers takes time and resourcing, and this is not something that can be solved with the stroke of a pen."
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Major win for abortion access in Aussie state
A Bill seeking to expand access to abortions in NSW, particularity in remote and regional communities, has reached a major milestone after passing the lower house, despite significant changes and claims of misinformation. The Bill, introduced by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn in February, would expand access to abortions by allowing nurse practitioners to supply medication to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks in gestation. Since being introduced, the Bill has been significantly watered down with amendments specifying the endorsed nurse practitioners and midwives must have the needed skills and training to administer the drug, known as MS-2 Step. Opponents of the Bill – including former prime minister Tony Abbott – have argued against forcing conscientious objectors to actively refer abortion services. That component was removed as the Bill made its way through parliament. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman on Wednesday said he would support the current, amended Bill, as did Labor Premier Chris Minns. The lead-up to Wednesday's vote was marred by allegations of misinformation, but ultimately passed without significant discourse in the lower house after two proposed amendments were shot down by a majority of MPs. A third reading of the bill was passed 65 to 20. The bill was initially introduced by Greens MP Amanda Cohn. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia It will now return to the Legislative Council. Greens Newtown MP Jenny Leong thanked MPs for the vote. 'It's wonderful to think that very, very soon, there will be better access to abortion care for people across the state of NSW as a result of the decision we are making today,' she said. 'Sometimes it feels like when you're in this place that we will never get good outcomes for people in their communities, and sometimes we do really good work together. 'I feel like this debate has shown what we can do when we work together in the actually genuine interests of the community that we serve.' In introducing the first reading of the Bill, Ms Leong said it was about 'equity in access to reproductive healthcare – access to abortion services – and increased that access to women and people across the state of NSW'. She urged MPs in the room to, despite their personal opinions, 'actually consider whether or not you're okay with the idea of people in the city having access to better services and more services … than those in regional and rural' Greens Newtown MP Jenny Leong thanked MPs for the vote. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia An amendment put forward by independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr requiring nurse practitioners or endorsed midwives have at least two years of experience was not supported by Health Minister Ryan Park or Liberal health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane. The MPs raised the extensive training received by both nurses and midwives, including 5000 hours of clinical practise for nurse practitioners, with Ms Sloane saying the amendment 'makes it even harder for access and equity in regional areas'. 'This amendment is unnecessary. It's inconsistent with health data, ignores the expertise of nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives and it makes harder for our regional, remote communities to access this important healthcare,' she said. They also noted the Bill as tabled was supported by peak medical bodies, including the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Family Planning Australia Ultimately, the amendment was voted down by MPs. As was a second amendment also put forward by Mr McGirr seeking a 'certain requirement for training' prior to commencing of practise for endorsed midwives and qualified nurses undertaking terminations, facing similar opposition. Premier Chris Minns said he would support the Bill. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Park said stipulating specific training requirements was not done with any other health service and would 'mean NSW is inconsistent with the rest of our country and with national guidelines', including the TGA guidelines. Mr McGirr on both counts said he was not seeking to undermine the bill. The Bill initially sought to ensure abortion services be provided across the state within a reasonable distance from residents' homes, and would remove unnecessary reporting to health authorities about the termination. It would also have empowered the Health Minister to compel public health services to comply with directions to offer abortion services and would require practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will. Abortion was decriminalised in NSW only in 2019. Nonetheless, hospitals in the regional centres of Queanbeyan, outside Canberra, and Orange were found to have banned abortions, prompting an apology during budget estimates from NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce. Dr Cohn has previously said the intention of the Bill was to expand who could perform medical terminations which she said was necessary to bring legislation in-line with changes in 2023 to the national medicine regulator. Its introduction has stirred fiery debate since it was tabled. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman backed the amended Bill. Christian Gilles / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia In a parliamentary debate last week, upper house Liberal MP Chris Rath compared abortion to the Nazi genocide of Jews, stating 'it is bizarre that abortion is increasingly being categorised as a human right to health care'. Mr Rath later that week apologised for the statement. The Bill has also stirred protest on the steps outside parliament by anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe's coalition, with a Wednesday night protest attended by Tony Abbott and the Catholic archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused Dr Howe of 'brazen bullying', stating on Wednesday that he would 'vote according to my conscience and balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns'. 'I will not cave to brazen bullying like this nor to the Americanisation of NSW … I thank all constituents who have contacted me. I have carefully considered their sincere and varying views. I will therefore vote for the Bill,' he said. 'I think that, on balance, the Bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in NSW. 'It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions.' Mr Speakman noted some objections were 'based on misinformation' and that, despite stating he would not have supported the original bill, believed 'The attacks on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in the original bill have now been removed by successful amendments.' Premier Minns earlier on Wednesday stated 'enormous amounts of misinformation and lies that have been spread' on social media had 'whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the reform changes, the legislative changes, are far more extensive than they are'.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Regions 'bear the brunt' of abortion access barriers
Laws allowing experienced nurses and midwives to prescribe medicine to induce abortion are set to be passed, with conservative politicians dubbing it a "dangerous and divisive" development. The amended bill from Greens MP Amanda Cohn aims to overcome "abortion deserts" in NSW. It comes after revelations a woman was turned away from having an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange had restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering the intervention of Health Minister Ryan Park to reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was decriminalised in NSW in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas, Dr Cohn says. A party colleague told parliament on Tuesday the bill was crucial because only three out of 220 public hospitals in the state openly provide abortion services. "Rural and regional communities disproportionately bear the brunt of this inconsistency, forced to drive for hours to access their right to choose," Greens MP Jenny Leong said. The amended bill could pass as early as Tuesday evening, with the eventual vote likely to divide the major parties, which have allowed members to vote on their conscience. Premier Chris Minns said he would back the legislation after the government managed to water down the original bill in the upper house. Proposed changes to compel conscientious objectors to facilitate the procedures and to lift mandatory reporting for health workers were both scrapped in the final draft. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has refused to stake out a public position. The proposed reforms would require the state to ensure services were available within a "reasonable distance" among other tweaks to the law. Nurses and midwives with appropriate training would be able to prescribe medical abortions up to nine-weeks gestation. Liberal MP Rachel Merton said the bill was "dangerous and divisive" for the community, while maverick Libertarian MP John Ruddick opposed it for its "government over-reach". It has also become a lightning rod for rallies outside parliament, with Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher and social media influencers claiming it forces medical practitioners to perform abortions and shut down private religious hospitals. Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott framed the bill as an attack on an individual's right to act on their moral beliefs. "This legislation which is about to be rammed through the state parliament is a fundamental assault on freedom of conscience," he told an anti-abortion rally outside parliament last Wednesday. Meanwhile, upper house MP Chris Rath apologised for invoking Nazis while criticising the bill as "authoritarian". The state was one of the last in Australia to decriminalise abortion, behind only Western Australia which made the change in March 2024. The laws will take effect later in May if the bill is successfully passed.
