A controversial bill that would effectively ban late-term abortion in South Australia made it through the upper house by the narrowest of margins – only to ultimately be defeated. Source: News.com.au.
The Legislative Council voted yesterday in favour of a bill to place tougher restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks and six days.
Introduced by Family First MP Sarah Game, it was the third time since 2024 that the bill has been debated.
It was also the first time it had made it through the state’s upper house – by 10 votes to nine.
The vote triggered an immediate debate in the House of Assembly later in the evening – which ultimately saw it voted down by 36 votes to 9.
After an emotive debate that lasted more than an hour, Speaker Nat Cook initially called the vote in favour of supporters. However, her assessment of the vocal votes was challenged, resulting in a recorded vote being held.
This, in turn, saw the bill defeated.
Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn voted in favour of the bill, The Advertiser reported.
Currently in South Australia, abortions are permitted after 23 weeks with the approval of two doctors, if the continuation of pregnancy would involve “significant risk of injury to the physical or mental health” of the pregnant person.
However, the bill sought to remove this exemption in favour of more stringent restrictions that would all but ban abortions from 24 weeks onwards.
Under the proposed bill, which was amended by Labor MP Tung Ngo, it would require two medical practitioners to consider that there is a “significant risk” of serious foetal abnormalities that would be “incompatible with survival after birth”.
Prior to both debates, anti-abortion demonstrators gathered outside of parliament to voice their support for the bill.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Ms Game said there was support for the bill following the March election result.
“The composition of this chamber has changed; it’s changed due to the voting of the public,” she said.
“The public’s been fully aware of the new parties that have entered this chamber and their stance on abortion.”
FULL STORY
Late-term abortion ban bid fails to pass through South Australia’s parliament (News.com.au)
Peter Malinauskas and Ashton Hurn back Sarah Game’s anti-late term abortion Bill in lower house defeat after it passes upper house (The Advertiser)
