Debate on Vic abortion bill continues

Debate and rejection of amendments to Victoria's abortion legislation delayed any lower house decision on Thursday on the contentious bill.

It was hoped the third and final vote in the lower house would be held late on Thursday afternoon.

The bill seeks to decriminalise abortion up to 24 weeks' gestation.

After 24 weeks, a woman would have to have the support and approval of two medical practitioners to receive and abortion.

The second reading passed through the lower house on Wednesday by 47 votes to 35.

Debate was vigorous on many of the 41 amendments which are to be considered.

However, all the amendments debated up until the 6.30pm adjournment on Thursday had been rejected.

Many of the amendments attempt to change the bill by insisting counselling be offered to all women before and after an abortion, or introducing a panel to consider an abortion after 24 weeks.

Sports Minister James Merlino, who opposes the bill, introduced a number of the amendments and expressed concern the legislation may increase the number of abortions in Victoria.

The current rate of abortions is about 20,000 a year.

But those supporting the bill insisted it will just keep the status quo.

Labor backbencher Christine Campbell, strongly opposed to the legislation, said that was clearly untrue.

"If I had a dollar for every time we've heard that during this debate ... that would pay for our election campaign," she told parliament.

Despite heavy lobbying and protesting prior to this week, visitors in the public gallery have remained silent and well-behaved during the long hours of debate.

MPs on both sides of the house appeared exhausted.

Debate has gone past midnight the past two nights and was not expected to finish much earlier on Thursday night.

Despite the long hours of vigorous debate, Premier John Brumby on Thursday remained confident the bill would pass the lower house, unchanged.

But that may change once it reaches the upper house.

"Where, I suspect, the vote will be a closer vote, but my view is that this will pass into law before the end of the year and that will mean essentially a continuation of current practices, no more, no less," Mr Brumby said.

Once a final vote is held in the lower house, it will then go to the upper house for amendments and approval.

Voting in the upper house is expected to be tight, with a number of MPs already signalling their opposition to the bill.

Mr Brumby said he hoped the bill would be passed by Christmas.