Login
Harassment to end at the doors of WA abortion clinics
Security for women seeking reproductive healthcare has taken a major step forward in Western Australia.
Emma Musgrave
The Western Australian government is on track to protect the dignity of women seeking reproductive healthcare, with the reintroduction of safe access zone laws in Western Australian Parliament.
Western Australia is the only state in Australia without safe access zones.
The Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill was reintroduced into the Western Australian Parliament by the Deputy Premier, Roger Cook MLA, and the Minister for Women’s Interests, Simone McGurk MLA. The laws previously passed the lower house, but lapsed before passing the upper house prior to the recent state election.
“This is a significant moment for Western Australia. These laws are an important step towards bringing Western Australia’s laws in line with the rest of the country, where safe access zone laws play a critical role in promoting equality and protecting people’s right to access healthcare safely,” said Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Monique Hurley.
“No person should have to run a gauntlet of abuse to see their doctor.
“This historic reform is long overdue. We urge all members of the Western Australian Parliament to stand up for reproductive rights and vote in favour of enacting safe access zones.”
According to the Human Rights Law Centre’s statement, the laws are based on recommendations made by a report published by the Western Australian Department of Health last year, which states that safe access zone laws modelled on Victoria’s should be introduced in Western Australia.
Western Australia is the only state in Australia that still uses the criminal law to regulate abortion. Further, they describe the current laws as being “outdated hurdles” to accessing abortion care which, “forces people in distressing situations to fly interstate to access services.”
“Until abortion is removed completely from the criminal law, pregnant people’s reproductive health will continue to be compromised,” Ms Hurley said.
“The McGowan government must remove all barriers to timely reproductive healthcare.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
Email Emma on:
