Robbie Katter MP today introduced the Termination of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024 into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill will enshrine a principle of birth equality in law that brings Queensland into line with best practice already in NSW and SA.
Queensland Director for the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), Rob Norman, said, “Queensland Health, last October, amended their clinical guidelines to ensure all babies born alive receive appropriate care. The Termination of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024 will now codify in law the duty of healthcare practitioners to provide these babies with the same level of medical care and attention as any other newborn.
“According to Queensland Health figures, between 2010 and 2020, 328 babies were born alive following failed abortions in Queensland. In the following two years, 2021 and 2022, 90 Queensland babies were born alive after an abortion and did not have the legislative right to be treated like all other newborns.”
Mr. Norman said, “This is a sensible and compassionate Bill that recognises the human rights of all newborn babies. The Queensland Parliament must now stand up for the most vulnerable and provide passage for this Bill”.
The ACL calls on the Queensland Parliament to work together and provide bi-partisan passage for the Termination of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024.
