Update 14 August: This article has been corrected (see footnote)

A bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW has cleared its first hurdle after a lengthy and passionate debate in the state’s Lower House.

The private member’s bill to remove abortion from the NSW criminal code passed the state’s Lower House late on Thursday night, following three days of debate and several amendments.

Members of both major parties were granted a conscience vote on the bill, which would remove abortion from the Crimes Act and define it as a medical procedure in its own legislation.