Churches and the State Government divided over abortion bill

The Reproductive Health Care Bill 2019, was introduced into NSW Parliament on August 1. It seeks to decriminalise abortion and introduce a law to regulate the procedure.

It will allow women to access safe abortion by a registered doctor. NSW is the only state in Australia that has not decriminalised abortion.

The Uniting Church is the first mainstream denomination to support the proposed new laws and has written to state MPs telling them abortion is a "health and social issue and should not be a criminal issue".

Supporters of the Bill and those opposing it, rallied outside parliament on Tuesday as the debate occurred inside.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said her office had been inundated with calls about the issue.

"My office has been the recipient of a number of calls both for and against the Bill and I encourage constituents to contact the office should they wish to comment and provide feedback," Mrs Tuckerman said.

"Public opinion has swayed back and forth on the issue and I am ensuring my due diligence is around the legislation."

The Catholic Church and most members of the Anglican Church oppose the Bill.

A statement from the Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, said the Bill would "allow abortion for any reason up until birth in NSW."

"The Bill has yet to be released to the public and as such, there has been no public inquiry into the subject, no opportunity for residents of NSW to make their views known to their MPs and not even discussion in state cabinet," he said.

"It seems the architects of this bill are determined for it to pass within days with as little community discussion as possible, let alone providing those being asked to vote on it with enough information to do so in an informed manner.

"The bill is a bad one. It will allow abortion right up to birth if two doctors agree."

In Goulburn, Uniting Church Rev Julie Furner supported stance NSW Uniting Church head Rev Simon Hansford has taken.

"Respect for the sacredness of life means advocating for the needs of women as well as every unborn child," Rev Hansford said.

"While we encourage ministers to remind people of the sacredness of life, the church's role should be to offer care and support leading up to and following a decision, not to stand in judgement.

"Most women who have abortions do so only after a great deal of searching and anguish."

Meanwhile, the Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Peter Stuart has broken ranks with his state leader, Archbishop Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, in urging NSW Parliamentarians to support the new abortion laws.

In a letter to the Parliament, Bishop Stuart said Anglicans valued all human life, but, after careful reflection, he had decided to back the bill.

The debate is also dividing the Coalition Government.

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