A proposal to amend South Australia’s abortion laws has narrowly failed, following a dramatic sequence of events that saw a cancer-stricken MP rush back to Parliament.
Liberal MP Ben Hood had introduced the bill, which sought to require women seeking to terminate a pregnancy after 28 weeks to undergo an induced birth, with the baby delivered alive and put up for adoption.
The bill was defeated by a 10-9 vote after an intense debate and last-minute drama involving Liberal MP Michelle Lensink.
Lensink, who opposes the bill and is on leave for breast cancer treatment, was initially paired with Liberal colleague Jing Lee.
Pairing in parliamentary votes allows an absent MP’s vote to be effectively neutralised by having another MP of the opposite stance abstain from voting.
However, just 30 minutes before the vote, Lee pulled out of the arrangement, leaving Lensink scrambling to secure another pair.
The controversy further deepened when Lensink, believing One Nation MP Sarah Game would pair with her, received no confirmation.
In the end, Lensink reached the chamber in time to cast her vote against the bill, with the help of Liberal colleague Dennis Hood, who stepped in to pair with her.
The 2021 abortion laws, which allow for termination after 22 weeks and six days if deemed medically appropriate by two doctors, were at the centre of the debate. The proposed amendments would have altered these laws, with opponents arguing that it was unnecessary and dangerous.
During the heated debate, Labor MP Kyam Maher voiced his opposition to the bill, saying, “This bill is not based on evidence. It’s insulting to women and dangerous for their wellbeing.”
Meanwhile, Liberal MP Hood defended his proposal, stating that it was aimed at offering an alternative to late-term abortion.
On social media, reaction was swift, with MPs like Jayne Stinson celebrating the bill’s defeat.
The narrowly rejected bill underscored the deep political divisions over abortion rights in South Australia.
Supporters of the bill, such as Lee, argued that it was a matter of protecting life.
Meanwhile, critics stressed that the amendments would limit women’s access to necessary medical care and complicate an already deeply personal decision.
The narrow vote suggests the conversation surrounding abortion laws in South Australia is far from over.
While the status quo remains, allowing late-term abortions when deemed necessary, the emotions stirred by the debate indicate that abortion rights will likely continue to be a point of contention in the state.
Despite the defeat, Ben Hood has vowed to continue advocating for tighter restrictions on late-term abortions, saying it is a matter of protecting the lives of unborn children.
