00:00Women in NSW have had access to abortions for decades, but it isn't mandatory for hospitals
00:08to offer them.
00:09We've heard absolutely heart-wrenching stories of people being turned away from public hospitals.
00:15Dr. Amanda Conn wants to change that.
00:17I'm very proud to introduce the Abortion Law Reform Amendment Health Care Access Bill.
00:22The Greens' MLC has put forward a legislative amendment requiring almost every hospital
00:27to offer abortions.
00:29Smaller health services would be exempt, but district managers would have to ensure
00:33terminations were available within a reasonable distance.
00:37Far too many people are being sent away to find services themselves rather than being
00:42shown where they can access care.
00:45The bill would also require health districts to provide publicly available information
00:49about what abortion services were accessible.
00:53Women's health advocates are backing the changes.
00:56The idea of putting forward reform that's actually quite transformational, to move us
01:01forward rather than fight for where we are, is what we need.
01:05The proposed change has been triggered by the temporary suspension of certain abortions
01:09in Orange.
01:11Sources have told the ABC the withdrawal of these termination services happened during
01:15discussions about resourcing, waitlists and the need for local clinical guidelines.
01:21The Western Local Health District said revised guidelines are expected to be implemented
01:26shortly.
01:27I think we can always do better in terms of providing that additional information and
01:30ensuring that communities, and especially women, know what is available.
01:35If the amendment passes the Upper House, it will need enough support in the Lower House
01:40to become law.
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