What’s before the Government

The options offered by the Law Commission:

1 Retain the law;

2 Woman decides on abortion, in consultation with health practitioner; 3 Doctor decides on abortion, considering woman’s mental and physical wellbeing. That test would be set out in law;

4 Woman decides unless pregnancy is more than 22 weeks advanced. After that, doctor decides.

What happens next

1 Cabinet decides on a process — before Christmas

2 Justice Minister Andrew Little puts up legislation — early 2019

3 MPs get a conscience vote soon after. If it passes first reading, it goes to select committee for public submissions and any changes. That will likely be a dedicated select committee.

4 If sufficient support, passes by end of 2019.