LISA MILLAR: For the first time in at least 50 years a Queensland woman has been charged with organising her own abortion. The 19-year-old from Cairns in the state's far north faces up to 14 years in jail after allegedly bringing in an illegal drug from overseas to carry out the procedure.

The case has reignited the debate about the decriminalisation of the practice.

Meg Purtell reports.

MEG PURTELL: It's an emotive debate that has strong supporters on both sides.

A 19-year-old Queensland woman is facing court, charged with organising her own abortion. It's alleged she smuggled an illegal drug into the country and she now faces up to 14 years in jail.

Professor Caroline de Costa was the first in Australia to apply for the rights to supply the abortion drug RU486. She's been using it legally in Cairns for the past three-and-a-half years.

CAROLINE DE COSTA: I'm very surprised. This particular section of the Criminal Code has I believe never been used in Queensland before and certainly not in the last 50 years. And the whole idea of punishing women for having abortion is really contrary to what the majority view is in Australia I think of how safe, legal abortion should be available to women when they need it.

MEG PURTELL: About 35 pro-choice supporters protested in Brisbane today, aiming to bring the issue of abortion law in Queensland to the attention of the new parliament.

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