Big win for women’s reproductive rights in the High Court

Today, in a landmark decision, the High Court confirmed that women have the right to safely and privately access reproductive healthcare without being accosted and intimidated. Sensible laws that prohibit harassment outside abortion clinics are here to stay.

Four years ago, we played a central role establishing safe access zone laws in Victoria to end the abuse and harassment that women and health clinic staff endured for decades. Our progress in Victoria helped establish similar laws in Queensland, NSW, the NT and ACT.

Anti-abortionists trying to wind back the clock on women’s rights challenged these laws in the High Court.

Together with an expert pro bono legal team, we intervened in the case to defend safe access zones because no person should have to forgo their safety, privacy and dignity to see their doctor.

We want to thank everyone who has supported this work over the years.

Australia still has a long way to go to ensure all women have equal access to reproductive healthcare. Abortion is still in the criminal laws of NSW, SA and WA, many states are failing to provide affordable reproductive healthcare services, and SA and WA still don't have safe access zones.

In coming months, we’ll be pushing for the modernisation of archaic laws that suppress a woman’s right to decide what happens to her life, her body and her future.

We should all have the freedom make decisions about our bodies. With your support, we can make this a reality for all women in Australia.

This work would not have been possible without the generous pro bono legal support of DLA Piper and barristers Kate Eastman SC, Frances Gordon and Chris Tran.

Support our legal action and advocacy with your donation: hrlc.org.au/give