Tasmania
Abortion Death Toll
An estimated 1,000–2,000
Abortion reporting in Tasmania is incomplete. The available data comes from Medicare claims, which only capture a portion of all abortions. There is no comprehensive state-level reporting mechanism, meaning the true number of children killed is likely higher. Abortion rates In Tasmania are not reported, and so we can only estimate the number of deaths caused by abortion. Based on official New South Wales and South Australia data, an estimated 1,000–2,000 children are aborted every year in Tasmania.
Legislation
Abortion is legal up to birth in Tasmania under the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Act 2013.
According to the Act:
- Up to 16 weeks gestation, a medical practitioner may abort a preborn child with the woman's consent, without any restrictions.
- After 16 weeks gestation, a preborn child may be aborted if two registered medical practitioners, after considering the woman’s physical, psychological, economic and social circumstances, agree that the abortion is necessary. These broad categories for consideration make it extremely easy for a woman in Tasmania to abort her child up to birth.
Buffer Zones Around Abortion Clinics
The Act places a 150 metre buffer zone around all abortion clinics.
Within a buffer zone, it is an offence to:
- protest abortion laws
- interfere with any person’s access an abortion clinic (e.g. to attempt to dissuade someone from entering an abortion clinic)
- record a person approaching, entering or leaving an abortion clinic
It is unclear whether silently praying inside a buffer zone is an offence.
The penalty is a fine of up to 75 penalty units orimprisonment of up to 12 months.