Protesting outside South Australian abortion clinics has been outlawed after new laws passed the Upper House in State Parliament late last night.
The bill, which was passed about 10:00pm on Wednesday, makes it an offence to protest within 150 metres of an abortion clinic.
Greens MLC Tammy Franks — who introduced the proposed law in the Legislative Council — said “at long last” the South Australian Parliament had voted to protect patients and workers from “harassment” outside abortion clinics.
READ MORE: Archdiocese responds to SA bill looking to decriminalise abortion.
“For too long our dedicated health workers and the patients for whom they provide care were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and threats while trying to access or provide abortion services,” she said.
“What a relief it is that today patients and health workers will no longer be subjected to this behaviour, and will be protected by our laws.
“Finally, South Australia has said ‘no more’ to women and workers being made to run a gauntlet of protest and preaching.
South Australia was the second last Australian state or territory to introduce similar laws, with Western Australia still debating the issue.
READ MORE: Greek government orders anti-abortion ads removed from Athens metro.
Greek Australian MP’s, Connie Bonaros and Irene Pnevmatikos, have welcomed the change.
“This is a great win for South Australians, especially women and workers,” Ms Pnevmatikos wrote on Facebook.
“The public no longer accepts the anti-woman sentiment that those opposing the Bill encourage.”
The bill was co-sponsored by Labor MP Nat Cook in the Lower House, which passed the bill in September.
Source: ABC News.
