Australia's immigration detention program

Nauru government scraps proposed abortion law for refugees

More than a thousand people are living in Nauru as part of Australia's immigration detention program.

The planned amendment to Nauruan law was opposed by government MPs in Nauru's parliament, despite being approved by cabinet.

Former opposition Mathew Batsiua said that government would have needed to consult more thoroughly even if the intentions were to apply to the asylum seekers in Nauru.  

ABC reports that ultimately the laws would have prevented pregnant asylum seekers and refuges from travelling to Australia or other countries like PNG to receive abortion.