Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy by the removal of the foetus from the uterus before it is mature enough to live independently. This medical process occurred before the birth of Australia and has continued ever since. Although it is universally practiced it is not necessarily condoned. Religious and scientific opinions, population policies, the development of the foetus, the condition under which the women conceived and the welfare of the mother are all contributing aspects that determine whether the child can be legitimately aborted. The legality of an abortion depends on a multitude of factors relating to the birth and life of the child. Abortion is clearly a highly moral and politically debated issue.

Australia's landmark case in Victoria of R v Davidson that took place in 1969 presented a new `principle of necessity' introduced by Mr Justice Menhennit, as a new test in means of determining lawful...