Biddy O’Loughlin voices support for abortion legislation, which will be voted on by Upper House next week

The comedian who says she was dumped by two Adelaide pubs over her views on gender identity gave her verdict after performing at a women-only event.

Adelaide comedian Biddy O’Loughlin – who spoke out against cancel culture after her show was dumped – has voiced her support for legislation that would require mothers seeking abortions after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive.

Comedian Biddy O’Loughlin. Picture Dean Martin

Liberal MLC Ben Hood announced at an event for supporters of his bill that he would bring it to a vote in the Upper House next Wednesday October 16.

If it passes through parliament, it would mean that pregnancy terminations after 27 weeks and six days are performed via the induction of early labour.

O’Loughlin, who attended with her young daughter, performed a set and sang at the women’s-only event.

She said her support for the bill was a “no-brainer”.

“I am pro-life,” she said.

“I’m here because I really wanted to show my support for the bill.”

O’Loughlin recently had her shows at the Crown & Anchor and Duke of York hotels cancelled – a decision she said was related to her views on gender identity.

Wednesday’s event was run by Mr Hood and University of Adelaide law professor Joanna Howe, a leading campaigner and key architect of the bill. Liberal MLCs Nicola Centofanti and Laura Curran were also in attendance.

As of last month, the bill was three votes short of the 11-vote majority required to pass the upper house.

Mr Hood urged supporters to write to MLCs encouraging them to vote in favour of the bill, which he said addresses an “unintended consequence” of 2021 abortion reform that allows terminations after 22 weeks in limited circumstances and with the approval of two doctors.

“What we are saying is that we are balancing the rights of the mother to terminate her pregnancy at any point but also that we balance that with the rights of the child,” he told the crowd of about 80 who attended.

SA Health data showed fewer than five abortions were performed after 27 weeks since abortion was decriminalised in South Australia in 2022, and there were no terminations after 29 weeks.

Originally published as Biddy O’Loughlin voices support for abortion legislation, which will be voted on by Upper House next week