Abortion should be treated as a health issue, rather than "something that is contained in the Crimes Act", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today.
It comes as the Law Commission released its briefing paper looking at alternative approaches to New Zealand's law , which currently sees abortion placed in the Crimes Act.
"My position was that this should be a health issue rather than be something that is contained in the Crimes Act," Ms Ardern told reporters today while taking questions in Auckland.
The Prime Minister said she wanted to hear from other MPs about their view because it would determine the next steps.
The report recommends options for making abortion a health issue instead of criminal. (Source: Other)
"We can only make those changes with a majority in Parliament, so that's why it's incredibly important - not just my opinion, the opinion of every single MP counts," she said.
"Given that we have a piece of legislation at the moment that treats this issue as a crime, I think there are a number of MPs that think that should change.
"I'd like [abortion] to come out of the Crimes Act, that is why this stage is so important."
The current rules for an abortion under 20 weeks are in cases of serious danger to life, physical health or mental health, incest and foetal abnormality. Sexual violation is a factor that can be taken into account.
A person needs two certifying doctors to provide certificates to obtain an abortion, and unbiased counselling must be undertaken prior.
For more on this story, watch 1 NEWS at 6.
The report sets out three alternative models for abortion to be removed from the Crime Act. (Source: Other)
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