A Labor MP pushing for "safe zones" around NSW abortion clinics says it's ironic that whales passing the state's coast are offered more protection than women seeking terminations who are regularly abused when seeking health care.
A private member's "safe access" bill co-sponsored by Labor's Penny Sharpe and Nationals MP Trevor Khan was introduced into NSW's upper house on Thursday.
If passed, the legislation would create a 150-metre exclusion zone around abortion clinics and make it an offence to film staff and patients without their consent.
"How many women seeking reproductive healthcare will have graphic images of dismembered foetuses shoved in their faces?" Ms Sharpe asked parliament on Thursday.
"How many will have leaflets full of lies about the dangers, risks and consequences of abortions shoved in their hands?"
Under the proposed laws, anti-abortion protesters caught intimidating staff or patients could be fined $5500 or jailed for six months for a first offence.
Repeat offenders could be fined $11,000 or jailed for 12 months.
"Nowhere else in our community do we allow women to be yelled at, pushed and shoved in public places," Ms Sharpe told AAP.
"We're very happy for people to protest about abortion - we know people have very strong views about it - but harassing women as they're seeking treatment is not on."
The Labor MP is "cautiously optimistic" the bill will have enough support to proceed to the lower chamber for debate before parliament breaks for the winter recess in late June.
Ms Sharpe noted migrating whales are protected by a 300-metre exclusion zone.
"It is ironic that in NSW we have not been prepared to give women that same protection," she told the upper house.
The Labor caucus has already endorsed the bill, but the coalition's position is not yet known.
The legislation aims to "ensure people are able to enter and leave reproductive health clinics at which abortions are provided without interference, and in a manner that protects their safety and well-being, and respects their privacy and dignity".
Any conduct occurring in a church or other religious building is exempt.
Protesters congregating outside parliament house on Macquarie Street would also be exempt even if they were within 150 metres of a clinic.
Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and the Northern Territory already have safe access zones around abortion providers, but the laws in Victoria and Tasmania are being challenged on the basis they interfere with the implied freedom of political communication.
Paul Nattrass, who manages a Sydney reproductive healthcare service, argues the NSW bill is a big step forward for women.
"No one should have to suffer the forceful, intrusive questioning of their medical treatment from a stranger in the street under any circumstances," he said.
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