Which Act dictates the circumstances under which healthcare practitioners may refuse to assist in an abortion due to conscientious objection?

The Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 specifically addresses matters related to abortion in New Zealand, including the rights of healthcare practitioners to refuse to assist in procedures due to conscientious objection. This act outlines the legal framework concerning reproductive health services and stipulates the conditions under which health professionals may opt-out of participating in abortions if they have moral or ethical objections.

In addition to establishing the parameters within which such objections can be exercised, the act ensures that practitioners are required to inform patients and refer them to other providers who do not have such objections, thereby balancing the rights of the healthcare provider with the right of individuals to access abortion services.

Other legislative options mentioned do not specifically pertain to the issue of conscientious objection in relation to abortion services. For instance, the Coroners Act 2006 relates to the investigation of deaths, while the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 focuses on the regulation of health practitioners' competence and professional standards. The Public Health and Disability Act 2000 deals more broadly with health and disability services without addressing the specific context of conscientious objections surrounding abortion.