in brief: man charged over anti-abortion protest
Image: Wikimedia Commons
A Brisbane man has been charged for protesting outside a Hobart abortion clinic.
The man has become the first person to be charged in connection with the new anti-protest provisions of Tasmania’s Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Act, passed in November last year.
Under the act, it is now an offence to conduct a protest related to terminations within 150 metres of a clinic. Additionally, it is an offence to harass, intimidate or film anybody entering a termination clinic.
The crime is punishable by 12 months in jail or a fine of $9750 dollars.
The man, however, was not charged with these provisions, but with failing to comply with a police officer after being asked to move on. He was seen as early as 8:30 on Tuesday morning, standing on the corner of Macquarie and Victoria Streets in Hobart’s CBD.
He was found within 150 metres of a termination clinic, protesting and handing out anti-abortion information, says Hobart Police Inspector Glen Woolley.
The man has been bailed and faces court later this week.
