Laws that establish a buffer zone around Victoria’s abortion clinics were expected to pass parliament on Tuesday, in response to reports of harassment by pro-life protestors.

Sex Party MP Fiona Patten first put forward the bill, which was later adopted by the Labor Government, to establish a 150 metre zone around clinics that offer abortions to better protect women.

It went before the Upper House on Tuesday, after it was introduced by the Victorian Government in September.

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Protestors who breached the zone, faced significant fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders.

But pro-life campaigners objected to the laws, and said they imposed on freedom of speech, ABC reported.

The New Daily reported instances of verbal harassment of women and children, and staff, entering a Melbourne clinic that offered abortions, among other medical services.

At the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic, protestors from a group called Helpers of God’s Precious Infants waved signs and placards, sang hymns and said prayers on the sidewalk outside the practice.

On one occasion, a protester walked up to a mother with her four-year-old child as they got out of their car and said to the child ‘Your mummy is going to kill your baby brother or sister’, the centre’s clinical psychologist, Susie Allanson, told The New Daily in August.

“I think it’s a psychological and physical barrier. They walk right beside you, talking at you, and they are thrusting things into your hand, telling you things and saying things that are very off putting.”

Ms Patten said the new laws would mean “women will finally be free of harassment around abortion clinics”.

– with ABC