Some very confronting testimony was given this morning before Senators from the Community Affairs Committee. Today witnesses have been speaking to an inquiry into the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022, a private Senators Bill of senators Matt Canavan, Alex Antic and Ralph Babet.
Associate Professor Joanna Howe was able to point to data that in Queensland and Victoria alone since 2010, 724 babies have been born alive. Under the law of these States no medical assistance is recommended and they have been left to die in pain.
Jodie Pickard indicated the severe affects this has had on the emotional wellbeing of midwives. A broad group of concerned community groups expressed their horror at this outcome and called for the Bill to pass so that medical assistance or palliative care has to be provided to the child born alive.
But it appears this is a broadly held view in the community. Pro-life Victoria has conducted polling from Compass showing that 70% of Victorians support medical assistance being given to the child born alive.
We call on the Senate to urgently debate this Bill.
Denise M. Cameron
