NCOSS welcomes cross-party move to decriminalise abortion in NSW

The NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has welcomed the cross-party move to decriminalise abortion in NSW.

NCOSS CEO, Joanna Quilty said the reform was long overdue and urged the Parliament to pass the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019.

“NSW has lagged behind other states for too long on decriminalising abortion and it is time to finally update the statute books,” Ms Quilty said.

“Reproductive health is a fundamental human rights issue for women, and it does not belong in the Crimes Act. Abortion should be treated like any other medical procedure and regulated as such.

“Instead in NSW, women, their partners and doctors have had criminal charges hanging over their heads when making reproductive choices.

“This legal grey area has to be addressed and this cross-party Bill can do that.”

Ms Quilty said NCOSS has long campaigned for this change and has joined with over 70 organisations in the NSW Pro-Choice Alliance to campaign in support of the reform.

“At NCOSS we represent some of the most vulnerable women in NSW and we know that control over their bodies and access to safe and affordable reproductive health are key issues,” she said.

“NCOSS welcomes the cross-party support behind this Bill, which is all about reproductive health and women’s rights in NSW.

“We urge all members of the NSW Parliament to support this important reform, which will better support women throughout the state.”

For more information on NCOSS, go to www.ncoss.org.au