Vic abortion protest laws fast tracked

Anti-abortion protesters are banned from harassing women outside Victorian abortion clinics, with safe access zones now in place.

From Monday protesters have to stay at least 150 metres from abortion clinics after the Victorian government fast-tracked laws passed last year, which were due to start in July.

"For too long, women accessing abortion services have been unfairly abused and intimidated, and it's time it stopped - that's why we've fast-tracked the introduction of safe access zones so we can give women the protection they deserve, sooner," Health Minister Jill Hennessy said on Monday.