More choice for women seeking abortion in the ACT


Released 19/09/2018 - Joint media release

Women will have more choice for abortion services in the ACT under the Health (Improving Abortion Access) Amendment Bill 2018, which was passed today in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The legislation, introduced by the ACT Greens, allows medical abortions to be accessed through a local GP or telehealth provider for the first time in the ACT.

“The ACT is historically a leader in abortion law reform by making abortion a health, not a criminal, matter and introducing exclusion zones,” Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said.

“This week I brought forward amendments to this Bill that brings access for Canberra women in line with other jurisdictions where medical abortion is currently available via GPs and telehealth providers,” said Minister Fitzharris.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women, Yvette Berry, says that the bill reflects the clear and long held position of the ACT Government and ACT Labor in support of a woman’s right to choose.

“This Bill will help to remove some of the barriers women in Canberra face when they are looking to access healthcare, and it will give women a greater choice of confidential and safe abortion services.

“The government has a responsibility to ensure policies always protect women and support them to live the lives they want and need to live,” Minister Berry said.

Minister Fitzharris said medical abortions are an alternative to surgical abortions for women, however at the moment they are only available at our approved medical facility, Marie Stopes.

“Over time medical practices have changed, and we must ensure our legislation does too.

“Through the legislation passed this week we will also allow GPs to prescribe medicines, such as MS‑2 Step, for women seeking an abortion. This means women can go to a GP who chooses to offer medical abortions, giving them another option.

“I’ve spoken to a number of doctors who support being able to prescribe this medication, so it’s a good step forward that women will now have more choice in the ACT if they make the decision to have an abortion.”

Minister Fitzharris said there will be an engagement and implementation period of up to 12 months in which relevant stakeholders including General Practitioners, pharmacists and telehealth providers are fully informed about the changes and how it affects their services for the benefit of women, prior to the commencement of the Bill.

“The ACT is a progressive jurisdiction that strives to ensure women are able to get access to safe medical abortion services on their own terms,” said Minister Fitzharris.

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Claire Johnston (Fitzharris)

(02) 6205 0022

0452 597 459

ClaireV.johnston@act.gov.au

Megan Cursley (Berry)

(02) 6207 1653

0435 960 505

Megan.Cursley@act.gov.au


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