Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act of 2017 (Northern Territory)

The Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 (the Act) in the Northern Territory was enacted to reform and modernize abortion laws, significantly improving access to abortion services and prioritizing women's health and autonomy. The Act allows for abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation on the advice of a single medical practitioner, who must consider the woman's physical, psychological, and social circumstances. For abortions beyond 24 weeks, a medical practitioner must consult a second medical practitioner, and they must assess all the relevant medical circumstances, the woman’s current and future physical, psychological and social circumstances and professional standards and guidelines. The Act further provides that a medical practitioner may perform a termination on a woman in an emergency, regardless of the duration of pregnancy, if the medical practitioner considers the termination is necessary to preserve the life of the woman. The Act also establishes safe access zones of 150 meters around abortion clinics to protect individuals seeking services from harassment and intimidation, with penalties of a fine or imprisonment for up to 12 months.