Abortion Bill passes 81 – 39 on 2nd reading
The 2nd reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill passed 81 – 39. The votes by party were:
- National 25 – 30
- Labour 37 – 9
- NZ First 9 – 0
- Greens 8 – 0
- ACT 1 – 0
- Ross 1 – 0
NZ First will seek a referendum at committee stage but not get it. That means at third reading they will either party vote against or vote by conscience.
Some of the amendments at committee stage will be:
- Darrock Ball – require a referendum
- David Seymour – delete ban on protests outside abortion clinics
- Jan Logie – change eligibility from women to “pregnant people” to cater for pregnant men!