ACT Human Rights Act: Legality of abortion remains with the Legislative Assembly

Abstract

One current argument against the ACT Human Rights Bill, focuses on proposed provisions therein rendering it “unlawful” for public authorities to engage in conduct “incompatible” with “every human being’s inherent right to life” (clauses 2.1 and 6.1-2). These, it is alleged, may threaten the decriminalisation of abortion, recently achieved by legislation in this jurisdiction (Crimes (Abolition of Offence of Abortion) Act 2002).