A law that would have removed abortion from the NSW Crimes Act has this afternoon been voted down by the state's parliament after a passionate debate between MPs.
Only 14 MPs voted in favour of the bill, introduced by NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi.
The bill would have removed abortion from the state's Crimes Act and established 150 metre safe access zones around hospitals and clinics where abortion is provided, in order to protect staff and patients from harassment.
The majority of MPs (25) voted against the proposed legislation, which would have also required doctors who conscientiously object to abortion to refer a patient to a doctor who doesn't.
Faruqi asked her parliamentary colleagues to support the "women of NSW" by voting for the bill.
"You cannot claim to be pro-choice and vote against a bill that is about choice," she said, moments before the vote.