A religious anti-abortion protester has been caught on security cameras brawling with the partner of a woman who was inside a clinic.

9NEWS has obtained vision which shows a young man walking outside a Surry Hills clinic in Sydney while his partner and her mother were inside.

The man is confronted by Paul Hanrahan, the coordinator of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants - a group of anti-abortion activists who claim to offer “sidewalk counselling” to women seeking terminations.

A man waiting outside a Sydney abortion clinic while his partner was inside has been filmed being attacked by religious protesters. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

Mr Hanrahan points his finger in the young man’s face before other members of the group surround him, with another filming him.

Another man - believed to have been praying on the other side of the road - walks across the street to become involved in the argument. The young man is then punched a number of times.

The incident occurred on January 30, 2016, and the man was arrested and charged by police.

In an interview with 9NEWS, Mr Hanrahan said the 21-year-old was baiting the prayer group with bad language and abuse.

The man was targeted by anti-abortion protesters who group outside clinics in an attempt to change the minds of people going inside. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

“After 24 years of engaging in peaceful, prayerful vigils outside abortion clinics, you have one case,” he said.

A magistrate did not convict the man accused of assault, because police could not prove beyond reasonable doubt his identity.

The protest group meet at the Surry Hills clinic three times a week and advertise the times on their website.

The man accused of the attack was arrested and charged by police, however a magistrate did not convict him because authorities could not confirm his identity beyond reasonable doubt. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

It comes as the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2018 was introduced to NSW Parliament.

The bill would ban protesters from gathering around an abortion clinic, with a 150-metre exclusion zone.

The proposed legislation is co-sponsored by Labor’s Penny Sharpe and Nationals MLC Trevor Khan.

“The current law is failing women. This bill ensures that women can go to the doctor without the interference, harassment and intimidation of others,” Ms Sharpe said.

The shocking footage comes as the NSW Government is trying to pass new legislation that would ban protest groups from gathering within 150 metres of abortion clinics. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

Maximum penalties for first-time offenders is a $5000 fine or a six-month jail term with second-time offenders copping a potential $11,000 fine or 12 months' jail.

Churches and places of worship will be exempt from the laws.

It’s expected the bill will be debated next Thursday and is likely to have enough support to get though the Legislative Council.

A vote will take place in the Liberal Party Room on Tuesday to determine whether Premier Gladys Berejiklian will allow MPs to vote with their conscience.

“I condemn violence in all circumstances,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I look forward to reviewing the Bill and discussing it with my colleagues.”

The change would bring NSW into line with Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory.

Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly and Epping MP Damien Tudehope are vehemently against the changes, insisting it stifles the right to protest.

“We have helped hundreds of people in difficult circumstances keep their baby,” Mr Hanrahan said.