Abortion Now Decriminalized In WA Amid Sweeping Reforms

In sweeping reforms passed by the state parliament, abortion has been taken out of the Western Australia’s criminal code meaning access will be now be made easier for women. Premier Roger Cook claims that the move brings in line with other jurisdictions and removes unnecessary clinical barriers, stressing that it is clear that the community and Western Australian women want the reforms.

Cook believes his government’s contemporary reforms will ensure that their state has modern laws that will reflect the society they live in.

Under the changes, the number of health practitioners required to take part in most abortion care has been reduced from two to one. While the requirement for mandatory counseling and ministerial and panel approval for later-term abortions has been removed.

The new laws also allow health practitioners to conscientiously object and refuse to provide treatment, but they must transfer the patient to another service provider or provide them information on where to access it. The gestational time at which additional requirements apply has also been changed from 20 to 23 weeks, to best reflect current clinical practice.

Although abortion is no longer a crime, an unqualified person performing or assisting with the procedure will still be deemed as a criminal act.