Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017

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Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
  • An Act to reform the law relating to the termination of pregnancy, and for related purposes
Passed21 March 2017
Introduced by Natasha Fyles MLA, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Introduced15 February 2017
Status: Current legislation

The Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 is an act of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly intended to reform abortion law in the Northern Territory.

Contents

Background

Before the legislation was passed, abortion was only available at hospitals. [1]

Provisions

The legislation makes abortion up to 14 weeks' gestation legal if a "suitably qualified" medical practitioner considers that abortion is appropriate, considering "all the circumstances". [2] After 14 weeks, but before 23 weeks of gestation, a second suitably qualified medical practitioner must assess the patient seeking an abortion and must also consider the abortion appropriate in all the circumstances. [2]

A doctor with a conscientious objection must refer a patient to a doctor without a conscientious objection in relation to abortions. [2]

The act requires that data on abortion in the Northern Territory is collected for public health policy purposes. [3]

The act establishes buffer zones of 150 metres around abortion clinics. [4] [5]

Further developments

Between the passage of the legislation and July 2019, late term abortions fell by 73% according to the Northern Territory Health Department. [6]

References

  1. ↑ "NT Finally Decriminalises Abortion With Complete Overhaul Of Legislation". Pedestrian.tv. 2017-03-22. Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "How does NSW's proposed abortion law compare with other states?". ABC News. 2019-09-18. Archived from the original on 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  3. ↑ Belton, Suzanne (2017-03-24). "Decriminalisation in the NT signals abortion is part of normal health care". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  4. ↑ King, Allie Daisy (2024-11-08). "A guide to abortion laws in Australia: State-by-state breakdown". Missing Perspectives . Archived from the original on 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  5. ↑ Davidson, Helen (2017-03-22). "Abortion decriminalised in Northern Territory after long campaign". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  6. ↑ Brassil, Ann (2019-08-02). "Hopes crushed, lives at risk: the true stories behind late-term abortion". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 2019-08-02. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
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