Debate begins on Liberal MLC Ben Hood’s controversial bid to roll back abortion laws
The debate on a controversial bill from a Liberal MLC to roll back South Australia’s abortion laws has begun. Follow here.
SA News
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Controversial abortion reform legislation is expected to be voted down by South Australia’s upper house on Wednesday night after heated debate inside and outside the chamber.
The Live Births Amendment Bill, introduced by Liberal MLC Ben Hood, would require mothers seeking abortions after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive.
The vote was expected to be close but likely to fall just short of the required 11 votes to pass.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher, who was the first to speak in the debate, said the bill was a dangerous erosion of women’s rights.
“Put simply, this bill poses a real and significant danger not only to the physical health and safety of all women but to women’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy,” he said.
He said he has been disturbed at the conduct of the debate – in particular the nastiness, vitriol and inflammatory attacks on individuals who are not voting – and urged those responsible to reflect on their behaviour.
Liberal Dennis Hood, a supporter of the bill, said he believes if a child is “viable” it has a right to life.
“It will allow them to be brought up by their birth mother or, if that mother so chooses, by loving adoptive parents,” he said.
One Nation MLC Sarah Game said she would also be supporting the bill, and introduced amendments including a clause mandating that women who terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks, resulting in a live birth, are offered counselling for two years.
“In a civilised society that values life, women should receive the support and assistance they need to birth and raise their child,” she said.
Pro-choice activists held a demonstration on the steps of parliament in the lead-up to the debate.
Dr Catherine Kevin and Dr Prudence Flowers were among a group who dressed as handmaids to represent women having to relinquish control over their bodies.
“Ben Hood’s bill seeks to seize control of our most vulnerable abortion patients who should be cared for and the current legislation allows them to be care for in very complex situations,” Dr Kevin said.
“We don’t need state representatives seeking to take control of women’s bodies.”
There was a significant police presence outside Parliament House during the parliamentary dinner break but only a handful of people sat on the steps.
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