MP Seeks to Ban Religious Public Hospitals From Refusing to Provide Abortions and Voluntary Assisted Dying

Victoria Ambulances are seen at the St. Vincent Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Religious-affiliated Australian public hospitals in the state of Victoria would be banned from directing staff not to perform abortions on conscientious grounds under a new legislative push.

Reason Party leader and crossbench MP Fiona Patten will announce the Health Legislation Amendment (Conscientious Objection) Bill on Monday as state parliament resumes sitting after the winter break. force