Australian girl granted right to abortion

BRISBANE, Australia, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A 12-year-old girl seeking an abortion in the Australian state of Queensland can move forward with the medical procedure, a Supreme Court judge has ruled.

Justice Margaret Wilson ruled that state government doctors can assist the girl, who is 18 weeks pregnant, in terminating her pregnancy, the Herald-Sun newspaper in Melbourne said in its Friday edition.

The ruling by the Queensland judge was made necessary after authorities ruled approval by the girl's parents for the procedure wasn't sufficient.

After two psychiatrists and an obstetrician offered testimony to the state Supreme Court regarding the potential impact of a pregnancy on the young girl, Wilson granted the request, the Herald-Sun said.

She noted in her decision that the child at the center of the case had a 9-year-old's maturity, the Herald-Sun reported. The newspaper said court officials were unable to learn the location of the unborn baby's father.