Roe v Wade: Thousands descend on Sydney, Melbourne in protest of US abortion ruling
Tens of thousands of people have descended on major cities across Australia to demand access to safe abortions for millions of people in the US.
The ruling ended constitutional protections for safe and legal abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years.
Tens of thousands of people have descended on major cities across Australia to demand access to safe abortions for millions of US people. (Photograph by Chris Hopkins)
Rallies have been held across the country in cities including Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Wollongong. (Photograph by Chris Hopkins)
Rallies have been held across the country in cities including Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Wollongong.
A group of pro-abortion protesters were present at the Melbourne protest, however police were called in to separate the two causes.
The demonstrations also have a local focus, seeking to expand access to abortion here in Australia. (Photograph by Chris Hopkins)
The demonstrations also have a local focus, seeking to expand access to abortion here in Australia.
Geography plays a major part in accessibility for people in other parts of the country.
In states such as Western Australia , abortions are permitted on request with a referral from a doctor up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.This is subject to counselling by a medical practitioner other than the one performing the abortion, or when the woman may face serious consequences if an abortion is not performed.
After 20 weeks of pregnancy abortions are only allowed to be performed if the fetus is likely to be born with severe medical problems, and this must be confirmed by two independently appointed doctors.