Victoria - a case study
Friday 26 February 2010
The Victorian abortion laws prior to the 2008 reforms were largely similar to current laws in NSW.
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- In July 2007 Victorian Labor MP Candy Broad introduced a private
member’s bill to decriminalise abortion, based on the ACT legislation.
- Victorian Premier John Brumby responded by referring the issue to the
Victorian Law Reform Commission in September 2007. He asked the
Commission to present options for decriminalising abortion. Ms Broad’s
bill was subsequently withdrawn.
- Following a short six
months, comprehensive review involving wide public consultation, the
Law Reform Commission presented its report in March 2008, offering
three options for reform.
- The Brumby government
introduced a bill into Victorian parliament in September 2008, choosing
the middle ground option for reform. Debate was extensive. The issue
stimulated considerable controversy and media coverage.
- The Bill passed through both houses unamended in October 2008. The conscience vote in the Legislative Assembly was 48 in support and 28 against. In the Legislative Council it was 23 in favour and 17 against.
