91̳

SHOCKFACTS: Restricted abortion rights

  • Abortion is still illegal in most Australian states except when the pregnant woman's life is in danger.
  • The ACT is the only territory or state that has removed abortion from criminal statutes.
  • Abortion laws were liberalised in WA after two doctors were charged for performing unlawful abortions in 1998.
  • Abortion laws in four jurisdictions are still based on an 1861 English law.
  • In WA, abortions after 20 weeks must be approved by a government committee.
  • For more than two decades, opinion polls have shown that a majority of Australians support women's right to access abortion.
  • The RU486 "abortion pill" is banned in Australia.
  • Globally, more than 200,000 women die every year from botched illegal abortions.

[Sources: < href="mailto:html"><html> and . Got a shockfact? Email <glw@greenleft.org.au>.]

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