​This Issues Backgrounder compares abortion law in all Australian States and Territories as at 5 August 2019, including both the current NSW regime and that proposed in the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 (the Bill).

The Law Commission has provided this ministerial briefing paper to the Minister of Justice, the Hon Andrew Little, advising on alternative approaches that could be taken to abortion law if the government decides to treat abortion as a health issue.

Coalition senator for Queensland Matt Canavan claims that a bill proposing to decriminalise abortion in the state would allow unrestricted access to abortions after 22 weeks' gestation.

This paper reviews and compares abortion law across all Australian jurisdictions.

Abortion laws are inconsistent across the states and territories meaning Australian women do not have equitable access to lawful abortion. Due to the work of Australian Sex Party MLC, Fiona Patten, Victoria has recently joined Tasmania in legislating a 150m safe access zone around abortion facilities.