The NSW Parliament has today moved an historic motion that supports the right of women to make the choice that is right for them, including the right to access safe, legal abortion.

The historic motion in support of women’s right to access legal, safe abortion was unanimously supported by Australia’s oldest parliament.

The motion, which initially called on the Minister for Women to clarify her comments on reproductive rights on the day that she was appointed Minister for Women, was amended to acknowledge the rights of women and in the spirit of the respectful debate in the House.

Labor members the Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, and Shadow Minister Jenny Aitchison, spoke to the motion. Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill, was refused leave to speak. Labor women also paid tribute to the decades-long campaign for reproductive freedoms and choice, which were historically endorsed today by the NSW Parliament.

Quotes attributable to Sophie Cotsis MP, Shadow Minister for Women

“Today’s debate was respectful and affirmed that all sides of politics agree that women in NSW must be empowered to make decisions over their own reproductive health.”

Quotes attributable to Jenny Aitchison MP, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

"Women everywhere in NSW have the right to make the decisions that affect their own lives. This is the strongest signal yet that the NSW Parliament supports women seeking to exercise those rights.

Quotes attributable to Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains

“I am proud to have spoken on the motion. I am pro-choice, I am a feminist and I am here in this Parliament to advance the cause of women. This is a huge step forward for the NSW Parliament to recognise the importance of a women’s right to make her own reproductive choices.

Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill

 “This is an historic motion that should pave the way to a similarly respectful debate about the need for exclusion zones and to decriminalise abortion in NSW. A Labor Bill to establish exclusion zones will be debated in the Legislative Council shortly.”