Access to abortion medication in New South Wales will soon become easier following the passage of new legislation allowing nurse practitioners and registered midwives to prescribe abortion pills. The bill, introduced by Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn, passed the lower house despite vocal opposition, including from former prime minister Tony Abbott.
The reform is designed to improve access to medical abortions, particularly in rural and remote areas where healthcare shortages often prevent timely care. It aligns NSW with other Australian states and territories, with the exception of Tasmania, and was backed by a majority in parliament, including the Minister for Health and the Shadow Minister for Health.
Widening Access in Rural and Regional Communities
According to NSW Health’s 2024 statutory review of the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019, while the decriminalisation of abortion improved the legal framework, it failed to ensure equitable access across the state. The report noted persistent gaps for Aboriginal women, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and those in regional and remote areas.
The new bill enables qualified nurse practitioners and registered midwives to prescribe pregnancy termination medication up to nine weeks into gestation.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich supported the changes, emphasising that rural areas frequently lack general practitioners, or have doctors unwilling to provide reproductive health services due to conscientious objections.
“Medical abortions provide the least invasive and lowest risk termination option,” said Greenwich. “[… but] they can only be performed up until nine weeks gestation, which means there is a small window of opportunity that could easily be closed by delays,”
Data presented in parliament highlighted that only three out of 220 public hospitals in NSW openly provide surgical abortions. As medical abortions must occur early in pregnancy, delays caused by lack of providers could force women to undergo surgical procedures instead.
Political Backlash and Divided Opinion
The bill’s passage was not without controversy. Opposition leader Mark Speakman supported the measure but condemned what he described as “brazen bullying” by anti-abortion campaigners, notably activist Joanna Howe.
According to parliamentary transcripts, Howe warned she would mobilise against Speakman’s leadership if he voted in favour, threatening a campaign across key marginal seats.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott and several Liberal MPs opposed the bill, raising concerns over safety.
Citing a report by the US-based Ethics and Public Policy Center, they claimed medical abortion posed risks such as sepsis or haemorrhage in more than 10% of cases. In response, Greens MP Jenny Leong criticised the report’s methodology and said the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists had dismissed it as flawed.
While the bill had passed the upper house previously, it must return for reapproval due to a typographical error. If finalised, it will mark a significant shift in reproductive healthcare delivery across the state.
