Statement from Deepa Mathew, Family First's lead candidate for the South Australian Upper House
Family First is disappointed that a bill to protect unborn children past 22 weeks and 6 days was defeated last night in the Legislative Council. Our decision to rebuild Family First was taken after the SA Liberals introduced abortion-to-birth legislation in 2021, signalling the removal of meaningful protections for unborn babies and their mothers.
We understand the Bill, moved by Independent MLC Sarah Game, would still have allowed late-term terminations when the mother's life is at risk or in the case of a severe foetal anomaly — and yet politicians voted it down 11-8.
Since abortion-to-birth was legalised in SA via the Termination of Pregnancy Act, 79 healthy, viable unborn babies with healthy mothers at non-emergency risk have been legally terminated beyond 22 weeks and 6 days.
The method is feticide where a long needle filled with potassium chloride is injected through the mother's uterus and into the baby's heart to kill the child. No pain relief is administered, even though it is incontrovertible that babies at this gestation and younger feel pain.
If the media accurately reported these practices, South Australians would not support it.
That is why Family First is working to elect pro-life parliamentarians — starting with my campaign for the South Australian Parliament at the March election. While ever this injustice continues, Family First will fight.
The defeat is a setback — but it is not the end of the battle for the protection of unborn children and for better support for their mothers.
