ABORTION LAWS

I believe that women need to be able to access abortion safely and equitably. 

In one of my first speeches as a newly sworn-in member of Parliament I spoke about the need for equal access to abortion for all women: Harmonisation of abortion laws across Australia is overdue.

Western Australia used to have the most draconian approach to abortion, with abortion remaining in the WA Criminal Code until 2023

Following public consultation on reforming abortion laws the WA government introduced  the Abortion Legislation Reform Act 2023 (WA) which came into effect in March 2024. This Act repeals all provisions related to abortion within the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 (WA) and creates a new framework relating to abortion in Western Australia.

At a Federal level, I support harmonisation across the States on the approach to abortion.  We need to remain vigilant and ensure there is equal and free access, with abortion incorporated into normal healthcare systems.. 

Having a separate MBS item number for surgical abortion enables accurate data to be gathered, and a new MBS item number for medical abortion will enable better access to safer, earlier abortions and ensure that GPs are appropriately remunerated to support women through a medical abortion.

I continue to seeking opportunities to support progress on this issue.