Ms Morand, as Women's Affairs and Children's Minister, and Mr Andrews, as Health Minister, were the chief architects of a bill tabled last week to remove abortion from the Crimes Act.

Of the five other Monash MPs, only Oakleigh MP Ann Barker has so far publicly backed the bill.

The proposed law would allow terminations up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, with the stipulation for later-term pregnancies that two doctors must decide if the termination is appropriate.

The bill is expected to be debated next month and government MPs will be allowed to vote according to their conscience rather than on party lines.

Last week, Ms Morand addressed fears the law might lead to an increase in the number of abortions..

"In the [Victorian Law Reform Commission] report they articulated there hasn't been any evidence that the laws affect the number of pregnancies, that the abortion rate is relative to contraception and other reasons."

Mr Andrews said the bill would reflect current clinical practice, but he was reluctant to give examples of how the bill would work in practice.

"It's not for me to canvas what would be appropriate and what wouldn't be.

"None of us as lawmakers can know the very fine detail, the complex and traumatic circumstances that the woman may present the carer."

Scoresby MP Kim Wells, who opposes the bill, was concerned that doctors with a conscientious objection might be obliged to perform emergency abortions. He was also concerned by the lack of mandatory counselling for women seeking abortions.

"The majority of people within my electorate who have contacted me have been opposed to the bill.

"Of those living outside my electorate who have contacted me, opinions have been split approximately 50/50."

Fertility control clinical pathologist Susie Allanson, though disappointed that a less restrictive proposal wasn't offered, said the bill was a "wonderful step forward for women" and would help to "destigmatise the industry". She said the bill could be a "once-in-a-lifetime chance".