The health status of women and their children is enhanced when safe, reliable methods of fertility control are available. Before 1971, abortion was a major cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Australia. Since then, abortion deaths have been very rare, and usually occurred in women with multiple pre-existing health problems. Complication rates associated with abortion are reduced when abortion services are readily available and abortions are done early in pregnancy. A significant proportion of all Australian women undergo an abortion at some stage during their reproductive lives.
Therapeutic abortion is the third most commonly performed gynaecological procedure.
The Australian legal framework does not allow the decision to abort a pregnancy as a matter for individual conscience and medical advice. The law pertaining to abortion is located in the criminal statutes and codes. The primary public health goal in the area of unplanned pregnancy must be prevention. Educational, social and health service programs are required to improve information and access to planned parenting choices. All reference to abortion should be removed from the criminal laws and codes of the States and Territories of Australia.