A law banning protesters within 150 metres of abortion clinics has passed in Victoria after the upper house voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Safe Access Zones bill, reported AAP.
The bill was first introduced by Sex Party MP Fiona Patten before being co-opted by the government.
The legislation – will make it an offense to film people without consent or block access to footpaths, roads and vehicles within the zone around GP clinics, hospitals and other health services offering abortions – was passed by 31 votes to eight in the early hours of Friday morning.
Protesters who breach the so-called safe access zone may face fines or jail time for repeat offenses.
Fiona Patten, the Sex Party’s leader and first elected MP, said: “Women can now be free from harassment when accessing what is a legal medical procedure”.
