Government U-turn on safe access zones at abortion clinics

Stephen Donnelly has reversed a policy priority dating back to 2018 to protect women and staff from intimidation at healthcare facilities offering abortion care. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The Government has scrapped promised laws to introduce safe access zones outside maternity hospitals and clinics providing abortion services.

Campaigners have hit out at Health Minister Stephen Donnelly for quietly shelving legislation to protect women and staff from intimidation when entering healthcare facilities, accusing him of "disregarding the electorate" and "disrespecting pregnant women".