Experts’ recommendations become landmark law

Scales of Justice

With the successful passing of abortion legislation in the South Australian Parliament, the State’s abortion laws have been ‘brought into the 21st century’. Recommendations made by legal experts from the independent South Australian Law Reform Institute (SALRI) based at the University of ɫ’s ɫ Law School, have led to historic changes to the law.

“This landmark Act highlights the role and work of the independent South Australian Law Reform Institute,” said the Director of SALRI, the University of ɫ’s Professor John Williams.

“The topic of abortion law reform raised significant legal, health, ethical, policy and practical questions and our review of the law and our recommended changes proved complex and sensitive work.”

“Our main focus was to recommend that abortion legislation was moved from an outdated criminal law to a health focus.” Director of SALRI, the University of ɫ's Professor John Williams,

In February 2019 the Attorney General the Hon. Vicki Chapman MP asked SALRI to inquire into and report in relation to the topic of abortion, with the aim of modernising the law in South Australia and adopting best practice reforms.