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Herald Sun

A BID to change abortion laws and ban late-term terminations in Victoria has failed.

Democratic Labour Party MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins had introduced a Bill for doctors to be prosecuted if they performed abortions on women who were 24 weeks or more pregnant.

The laws also included provisions to force hospitals to provide more support to women in “distress”, and to care for babies born in emergencies after 24 weeks.

Currently, a woman can have an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy as long as two doctors have agreed it is appropriate.

A passionate debate in the Legislative Council saw several MPs argue against taking choice away from women, while several in favour of the changes said late-term abortions were cruel.

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Picture: Herald Sun, Tony Gough