By Raquel Mustillo MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has defended abstaining from the final vote of the state’s historic and controversial abortion laws despite voting on a number of amendments during the marathon debate. Parliamentarians were granted a conscience vote on the bill – introduced to the Lower House by Attorney-General Vickie Chapman – which removes abortion from criminal law and allows termination beyond 23 weeks in certain circumstances. The independent MP raised concerns with the lack of safeguards in the original Termination of Pregnancy Bill ahead of the debate, including preventing abortions being performed due to sex selection and the potential for discrimination against doctors who are conscientious objectors.