Privacy zones around Canberra abortion clinics have been proposed by Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, following a recent high-profile protest outside an ACT Health facility.
Mr Rattenbury made the comments after the local Catholic Archbishop, Christopher Prowse, appeared at a protest outside a fertility clinic in Civic.
He said the protest highlighted the need for laws to create such zones.
“I’m really appalled to see significant protests taking place outside the ACT Health facility where a woman can go for a termination,” he said.
“I think it’s a real breach of privacy for a woman to have to confront that, in, what is perhaps, already a difficult moment.”
Mr Rattenbury said women should have access to such procedures without fear of condemnation or interference.
He said the ACT Greens would look into creating privacy zone legislation similar to laws already in place in Tasmania.
“This isn’t about religious belief or values. It is a woman’s right to access healthcare,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The Archbishop and any others who disagree about a woman’s right to choose should be free to speak about their beliefs,” he said.
“But [they should] not to upset or intimidate women outside a health facility when they may be vulnerable or in a difficult circumstance,” he said.
Comment has been sought from Archbishop Prowse.