SHANE Rattenbury says his Bill to create privacy zones around medical facilities that provide abortion and reproductive services has passed in the Legislative Assembly.

“I’m really pleased that, with the passing of this legislation, women will be able to access what is a safe and legal medical procedure without being confronted, harassed or intimidated,” Shane said.

“While the small but dedicated group who gather outside the ACT’s abortion clinic may not be as confronting as the ugly protests we have seen in Victoria and New South Wales, the group are clearly seeking to deter or dissuade women from undertaking the legal procedure.

“While I respect individuals’ rights to hold strong views on any matter, I simply cannot support any behaviour that intimidates or causes fear or distress towards a woman who may already be in a difficult time.

“In the development of this bill I have sought to provide a balance between providing safe, unimpeded access for women, whilst not impeding on the rights to freedom of speech.

“This legislation does just that, defining specific prohibited material, a defined proximity where activity is prohibited, and specified time restrictions on activity. The limitations do not prevent a person from protesting in other places or outside the times specified.

“This is fundamentally about a woman’s right to medical privacy, and the right to make choices about her own health.

“I’m really pleased that this legislation has been supported, and that other MLAs recognise the importance of protecting women’s rights to access safe and legal abortions.

Marcia Williams, the Executive Director of the Women’s Centre for Health Matters, welcomed the news of the successful passage of legislation to create privacy zones in the ACT.

“This will ensure that women are able to access the health services that they are entitled to in privacy,” she said.

“We agree with the importance of protecting Canberran’s freedom of expression and did not wish to see it limited unnecessarily. But that right also needed to be balanced with the right that Canberrans have to access the health services we need, including termination services, without harassment, intimidation or humiliation.

“We congratulate the Legislative Assembly and believe that this legislation provides that balance, and will remove some of the barriers that women face in exercising their right to legal reproductive health services,” concluded Ms Williams.