The Royal College of Obstetricians says proposed changes to South Australia's abortion laws are unnecessary and could harm women. While that view is shared by some in the opposition, Liberal MP Ben Hood says his proposal strikes a balance to protect the rights of children.
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00:00Mothers, politicians and campaigners on the steps of parliament in support of a proposed
00:10change to South Australia's abortion laws.
00:13It's about saving the lives of every single baby that's born after 28 weeks.
00:18Liberal MP Ben Hood will introduce a private members bill on Wednesday if past people who
00:23want to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks would be induced and required to deliver
00:29their baby alive.
00:30What we are doing is trying to balance the rights of the woman to be able to choose the
00:35termination of pregnancy but also the rights of the child.
00:38But obstetricians say the move would be detrimental to women.
00:41These terminations are usually only in the most extreme situations, they're usually
00:47because of the physical or mental health of the woman is endangered.
00:51SA Health data shows that in the first 18 months after the state's abortion laws were
00:56implemented, less than five terminations were performed after 27 weeks.
01:01I don't think politicians are in the situation where they should be making these decisions,
01:06instead it should be the health care team that is looking after that person seeking
01:10a termination.
01:11While Mr Hood says it's his job to consider legislation, the bill has caused division
01:15within his party.
01:17One speaking out, the MP who introduced the reforms to decriminalise abortion in 2020.
01:23We see a lot of interesting things in the parliament from time to time.
01:26This one would have to be up there as one of the worst pieces of legislation that I've
01:30seen drafted.
01:31We're going to have robust debates about this bill and it is important that we do so.
01:36The bill will be a matter of conscience for Liberal MPs.