Abortion decriminalised in NSW after marathon debate

Applause in parliament on Thursday after contentious bill cleared its final hurdle, following weeks of protest

New South Wales parliament has passed a bill decriminalising abortion, overturning a 119-year-old law and achieving what advocates say is a "massive step forward for women" in the state.

There was applause in the lower house as the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019 passed its final hurdle after more than 70 hours of debate in both houses and weeks of protest.