Walk for Life protest rally fights against abortion reform Bill in SA
Thousands of protesters have rallied in Adelaide demanding a halt to the state government abortion law reforms.
SA News
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Thousands of pro-life supporters rallied in Adelaide to protest against planned changes to the state’s abortion laws.
About 4000 protesters braved the rain to join the Walk For Life March, which gathered at Adelaide Oval before moving to Parliament House.
They waved signs and gave emotional speeches protesting against the Termination of Pregnancy Bill, currently before State Parliament.
The Bill seeks to decriminalise abortion and allows for termination beyond 22 weeks and six days’ gestation if two medical practitioners confirm “under all circumstances” it would be “medically appropriate”.
The crowd – mostly made up of sections of the Christian community – heard personal stories, including from one woman who had experienced a traumatic abortion.
One couple with two adopted daughters called on the State Government to encourage adoption as a preferred solution for unwanted pregnancies.
State Government data show there are three or fewer adoptions a year of locally-born children but more than 4000 terminations.
Several politicians from both the Liberal and Labor parties who are fighting the Bill addressed the crowd.
Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti told the protesters she feared the proposed changes to gestational limits and eased restrictions on early terminations would increase risks for regional and rural women.
Labor MLC Clare Scriven said she disputed the view of proponents of the Bill, who believed that the SA public supported the proposed changes.
Federal Liberal senator Alex Antic said if the Bill was defeated, another version would resurface.
The Bill has passed the Legislative Council and is due for debate in the House of Assembly this month.
It was introduced by Liberal MLC Michelle Lensink on behalf of Attorney-General Vickie Chapman.
Next Saturday, a rally from the SA Abortion Action Coalition will be held on the steps of Parliament House in support of the Bill.
“We urge MPs not to be misled by misrepresentations of the Bill and what its effects will be,” convenor Barbara Baird said.
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