"We need to know how many candidates at the state election are willing to come forward and say what their planned response to the recommendations from the [Queensland Law Reform Commission] will be," she told BuzzFeed News.

Melinda decided to provide medical terminations to her patients in 2015 when she read about the "horrible deaths and complications" that came from backyard abortions in Queensland during the early 20th century.

"The law hasn't changed since 1899 and I was quite outraged and realised that I could choose to provide this to women in need," she said.

"Technically any GP in Queensland can provide this service if they want to, but I think the murky legal area is inhibiting a lot of GPs that might be interested in making it part of their policy of reproductive health.

"At the moment it is a bit of a postcode lottery as to whether women can get access to a termination."



Melinda said she did not want to be named because she worked within the shadows of the law.

"I could be charged and face up to 14 years in jail and my patients could face seven years, but I have a bit of a defence under case law and my patients don't."

Essential research polling showed in February 76% of Queenslanders believed the state's abortion laws should be changed.

