84AConscientious objection

84A Conscientious objection (1) Subject to subsection (2), an authorised person may, on religious or other conscientious grounds (a conscientious objection), refuse to provide any of the following services (an abortion service): (a) prescribe, supply or administer an abortifacient; (b) carry out or assist in carrying out a surgical abortion. (2) An authorised person must not refuse, only because of a conscientious objection— (a) to carry out, or assist in carrying out, a surgical abortion in an emergency where an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant person; or (b) to provide medical assistance or treatment to a person requiring medical treatment because of an abortion.

(3) There is no breach of duty (by contract or by statutory or other legal requirement) or contravention of a territory law if an authorised person refuses to provide an abortion service because of a conscientious objection. (4) However, if an authorised person refuses to provide an abortion service because of a conscientious objection, they must, immediately after refusing— (a) tell the person requesting the abortion service that they refuse to provide the service because of the objection; and (b) either— (i) give the person information about how to locate or contact— (A) a health practitioner who they reasonably believe can provide the abortion service and would not refuse to do so because of a conscientious objection; or (B) a medical facility where they reasonably believe a health practitioner working at the facility can provide the abortion service and would not refuse to do so because of a conscientious objection; or (ii) transfer the person’s care to a practitioner or facility mentioned in subparagraph (i) (A) or (B). authorised person means— (a) a doctor; or (b) a nurse; or (c) a nurse practitioner; or (d) a person prescribed by regulation for section 81 (1) (c) (iii).

Patient privacy in protected areas Division 6.2