The legislation to decriminalise abortion in New South wales passed parliament yesterday after a number of last-minute changes. 

“It is unfortunate that some unnecessary amendments were made, but they should not be to the detriment of the bill’s purpose - decriminalising abortion and maintaining access to this health service for  thsoe who need it,” the AMA state president, Dr Kean- Seng Lim, said. 

The bill draws a distinction between the termination of a pregnancy before 22 weeks gestation and those that occur after 22 weeks will require the approval of two specialist doctors.