Labor MP Nat Cook hits back at ‘Christian lobbyists’ amid abortion law reform

A southern suburbs MP has called out “Christian lobbyists” for sending messages on new baby gift cards to her office amid the SA abortion law reform debate.

Labor MP Nat Cook has called out "Christian Lobbyists" for sending baby cards to her office in response to her campaign for changes to SA abortion laws. Picture: Facebook

A southern suburbs MP has hit back at “Christian lobbyists” for sending anti-abortion cards to her Morphett Vale office.

Labor MP Nat Cook posted an image on Facebook of a new baby greeting card that had been anonymously sent to her office.

“The nastiness of the messaging from a twisted anti-abortion campaign just builds my resolve,” the member for Hurtle Vale wrote in the post.

“Young and vulnerable staff members are subjected to this evil.

“Pull your heads in!!!”

Ms Cook – who campaigned for laws banning anti-abortion campaigners from protesting near abortion clinics – said the card which featured a bible verse infuriated her.

Labor MP for Hurtle Vale Nat Cook has hit back at anti-abortion lobbyists on Facebook. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

“Factual lobbying letters are absolutely appreciated and read and acknowledged, particularly those in our own electorate,” she said.

“But this particular one a birth of a baby card just shows the length that these people will go to in order to unsettle people who are trying to make a decision based on evidence.

“It really needs to stop because what they’re doing is actually really negatively impacting the mental health of people who are working in our offices doing a fantastic job day after day, solving many issues and knocking down barriers for people who need it.”

The card implored Ms Cook to vote against the upcoming Termination of Pregnancy Bill and not “have this blood on your hands”.

Ms Cook said her office had also received “awful pictures and photographs and baby killer allegations”.

A senior staff member at the office – who requested to remain anonymous – said the “vitriol and hate” had taken its toll.

“The last few months have been increasingly distressing receiving abhorrent messages full of mistruth and evil thoughts,” she said.

“My role is to support the community and try and advocate for change, when my day starts with reading these awful emails and letters I then have to work hard with my own mental wellness to do my job.”

But Ms Cook said cards and messages like this had just strengthened her resolve.

“It’s not appropriate, it’s not acceptable and it will not happen, we will prevail and we need to for all women,” she said.

“When you have some twisted soul that goes to the extreme of putting a baby congratulations card in the post you can’t help but see what it’s about and the pain it’s inflicting.

“If anyone thinks that is a Christian approach, then I retract what I’ve said all my life about Christian approaches which is what I’ve always lived by and that’s being kind to people.”

On Wednesday night, laws that ban anti-abortion campaigners from protesting near abortion clinics passed South Australia’s Upper House.

Speeches on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill were also due to be given on Wednesday, but were rescheduled to Thursday because some members of SA’s Legislative Council argued it was “disrespectful” to hold such debates on Remembrance Day.