Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Act 2021
| Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Act 2021 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Western Australia | |
| |
| Citation | No. 9 of 2021 |
| Considered by | Legislative Assembly of Western Australia |
| Considered by | Legislative Council of Western Australia |
| Royal assent | 17 August 2021 |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Legislative Assembly of Western Australia | |
| Introduced by | Roger Cook MLA, Minister of Health |
| First reading | 26 May 2021 |
| Second reading | 26 May 2021 |
| Third reading | 24 June 2021 |
| Second chamber: Legislative Council of Western Australia | |
| Member(s) in charge | Kyle McGinn MLC |
| First reading | 24 June 2021 |
| Second reading | 24 June 2021 |
| Third reading | 12 August 2021 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Act 2021 is an act of the Parliament of Western Australia relating to legal protection of access to abortion.
Background
Before the passage of the legislation, staff at a Marie Stopes family planning clinic in a Perth suburb told the Guardian they were being targeted from the moment they drove up to the clinic.[1]
In 2019, the establishment of safe access zones was supported by the leader of the opposition, Liza Harvey.[2]
Provisions
The legislation establishes buffer zones of 150 metres around abortion service facilities.[3] Breaches under the legislation can lead to fines of up to A$12,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months.[4] The restrictions apply at all times.[5]
References
- ^ Davey, Melissa (26 January 2018). "Protect us from anti-abortion protesters, say women's clinics in WA". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ Hondros, Nathan (31 July 2019). "Liza Harvey to support controversial abortion clinic 'safe access zones'". WA Today. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ Vrajlal, Alicia (13 August 2021). "Protests Outside Abortion Clinics Are Finally Illegal Across All Of Australia". Refinery29. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Coade, Melissa (27 May 2021). "WA parliament considers laws to enshrine safe access to abortion". The Mandarin. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ Shine, Rhiannon (12 August 2021). "Abortion clinic protests banned in WA as safe access zones bill approved to protect women". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2025.