The cut-off point for abortion is likely to be dropped to 16 weeks' gestation in response to widespread criticism of the 24-week time frame included in the draft legislation released by Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne last month.

Ms O'Byrne, who is sponsoring the legislation as a private members bill, said lowering the cut-off point would not affect most women because 94 per cent of terminations occurred before 14 weeks.

Most of those that occur in the second trimester are in response to medical concerns, and could still be performed under a clause that allows abortion at any stage if two doctors certify that it is necessary for medical, psychological or socio-economic reasons.

``The intent of dealing with this (abortion) was to deal with the fact that women were not able to access affordable, legal terminations in Tasmania,'' Ms O'Byrne said.

``As long as we have achieved that, which is fundamentally around removing it from the criminal code, then we will have achieved those aims.''

``I'm not going to support a piece of legislation that is worse than we have now.''

Under existing Tasmanian law abortion is a crime but medical terminations may occur at any time if two doctors certify that it is necessary for the woman's mental or physical health.

A proposed $65,000 fine for doctors who do not disclose a conscientious objection to abortion or do not refer on to another doctor has also been scrapped.

Ms O'Byrne said the legislation would instead rely on professional sanctions to prevent doctors from hiding their objection to abortion.

The ban on protesting within 150 metres of an abortion clinic remains, to the concern of some Greens MPs.

``I am absolutely committed to the access zones,'' Ms O'Byrne said.

The revised Reproductive Health Act could be tabled in Parliament as early as today.

Just 709 of the 2050 private submissions received on the legislation were from Tasmanians, and Ms O'Byrne said that while 87 per cent opposed abortion most did not specifically address the legislation.

The Examiner  understands a majority of lower house MPs will support the modified legislation.

A number of MLCs have expressed concern about the 24-week gestation period, but said they may support amended legislation.