Students from Christian and public schools held signs that read ``Babies Bring Joy,'' ``Adoption not abortion'' and ``life is precious.''

Organiser Gaye James said protest was against the proposed Reproductive Health Act, which would remove abortion from the criminal code and allow open access up to 24-weeks.

Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne will introduce the legislation as a private member's Bill.

``This legislation is just totally barbaric,'' Ms James said.

Ms James defended the presence of children at the protest, saying all had parental permission and were able to understand the issue.

``I think if you bring it back to the simplest form for a child, and that this is a child that's losing its life, of course they can understand,'' she said.

Ms James said abortion should not be framed as a woman's rights issue.

``I strongly believe that this is not just a woman's decision... every man has the right to say that's my child and I want that child,'' she said.

``Don't have sex if you don't expect to fall pregnant.''

Former head of Family Planning Victoria Dr Sally Cockburn said that state saw similar protests when it decriminalised abortion in 2008.

Dr Cockburn was heavily involved in the campaign to change abortion law in Victoria, and said none of the dire predictions from anti-abortion groups that decriminalisation would increase the number of abortions or encourage late-term abortion had come true.

She encouraged Tasmanians who supported the proposed reforms to make their protests known.

``People need to remember that they are hearing from a vocal minority, and they need to be standing up for voiceless women who don't want to speak up because they are scared that they will be identified,'' Dr Cockburn said.