Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Act 2018

Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Act 2018
Parliament of New South Wales
Long title An Act to amend the Public Health Act 2010 to provide for safe access zones around reproductive health clinics at which abortions are provided.
Citation	No. 127 of 2018
Considered by	New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Considered by	New South Wales Legislative Council
Royal assent	15 June 2018
Legislative history
First chamber: New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Introduced by	Penny Sharpe MLC
First reading	1 May 2018
Second reading	17 May 2018
Third reading	24 May 2018
Second chamber: New South Wales Legislative Council
Member(s) in charge	Leslie Williams MP
First reading	5 June 2018
Second reading	7 June 2018
Third reading	8 June 2018
Status: Current legislation

The Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Act 2018 is an act of the Parliament of New South Wales relating to the legal protection of access to abortion.

Background

For "many" years before the legislation was passed, a Melbourne-based practitioner made trips every Thursday to protest outside an abortion clinic in Albury. ^[1] According to the ABC, the protests were a major local battle that helped to shape the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Act 2018. ^[1]

Provisions

The legislation establishes buffer zones of 150 metres. ^[2] It is illegal to communicate, film or intimidate a woman inside the access zones under the legislation. ^[3]

The maximum penalty for a first offence is A$5,500. ^[4]

Reception

The legislation received the support of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, Marie Stopes, Family Planning New South Wales. ^[5]

The bill was criticised by the Roman Catholic archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher. ^[5]

References

1. Somerville, Erin (8 June 2018). "Abortion clinic 'safe access' zones set to shake up a quiet Albury street as NSW bill passes". ABC News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
2. McGowan, Michael (7 June 2018). "NSW passes law to establish abortion safe zones". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
3. Young, Evan (8 June 2018). "Abortion advocates urge NSW to 'take next step' after new safe access laws". SBS News. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
4. Noble, Freya (23 May 2018). "Safe access zone abortion bill to be debated in NSW upper house". Nine News . Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
5. Knaus, Christopher (7 May 2017). "Abortion decriminalisation to get renewed push in NSW parliament". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2025.