A WODONGA doctor involved in abortions says gender has not been cited as a reason for any terminations at her clinic.
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Catherine Orr was speaking in the wake of claims by some NSW MPs that new legislation in that state decriminalising abortions would allow terminations on the basis of gender.
The bill, which passed the Lower House late last Thursday night, is modelled on Victorian and Queensland legislation.
"I really think we're in that very unique position of seeing how the law plays out in NSW after having seen how it played out in Victoria," Dr Orr said.
"I think a lot of catastrophising that went on in the debate (in the NSW Legislative Assembly) can be argued against by having seen similar law being in Victoria and Queensland and we didn't see a rush of women terminating pregnancies."
Dr Orr said since her clinic began providing abortions in early 2015 there had never been a patient use gender as the basis of her decision.
"It's never been a request out of 1200 abortions," she said.
"You're not picking up gender reliably until 18 weeks and I think you would struggle to get a doctor to provide an abortion."
Nationals MLC Wes Fang, who supports the NSW bill, which will be debated in the upper house next week, said some politicians were putting "red herrings" into the debate by focussing on late term abortion and gender selection.
"The main part of the bill is should abortion be part of the Crimes Act or should it be put in a stand alone act," Mr Fang said.
"All the other issues are a smokescreen from those that aren't happy with abortion."
Mr Fang, who is based in Wagga, believes his support for the bill better reflects his hometown's view on abortion decriminalisation than the city's Independent MP Joe McGirr, who last week voted against the bill.
"He put his electorate and the wishes of his electorate ahead of a vocal minority," Mr Fang said.
"As a new member it was a big test for him and he came through it with flying colours and it bodes well for Justin being a good advocate for the Albury electorate."