ADELAIDE – A controversial proposal aimed at significantly restricting late-term abortions in South Australia has been defeated after a dramatic day of debate in the state parliament.
The bill, introduced by Family First Member of Parliament Sarah Game, sought to tighten the rules governing abortions after 24 weeks and six days of pregnancy. While it narrowly passed the Legislative Council by just one vote, it was ultimately rejected in the House of Assembly later the same evening.
The proposal represented the third attempt since 2024 to change South Australia’s abortion laws and the first time such legislation had successfully cleared the upper house.
Under current South Australian law, abortions after 23 weeks are permitted when two medical practitioners agree that continuing the pregnancy would pose a significant risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.
The proposed legislation would have removed that provision and replaced it with much stricter requirements. Abortions beyond 24 weeks would only have been allowed when two doctors determined that a serious foetal abnormality existed and that the condition was incompatible with survival after birth.
Supporters of the bill argued that advances in neonatal medicine and changing public attitudes justified stronger protections for unborn children.
Speaking during the debate, Sarah Game said recent election results demonstrated public support for a review of abortion laws.
“The composition of this chamber has changed because of the voting of the public,” she told Parliament.
The bill received support from several Liberal MPs, three One Nation members and a small number of Labor representatives, highlighting divisions across traditional party lines.
One Nation MP Chantelle Thomas delivered one of the most personal speeches of the debate, recalling how doctors had advised her to terminate her pregnancy at 28 weeks due to concerns about her daughter’s health.
Her daughter is now seven years old.
“She is living proof that sometimes the predictions are wrong,” Thomas said.
However, opponents argued that South Australia already has one of the most heavily regulated abortion systems in Australia and warned against further restrictions on reproductive healthcare.
Women’s Minister Katrine Hildyard strongly opposed the legislation, saying Parliament should trust women and medical professionals to make difficult decisions.
“The reality is South Australia already has one of the most regulated systems,” Hildyard said. “We must send a clear message that we respect healthcare professionals and trust women.”
State Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis also voted against the bill, describing the upper house result as historically significant but expressing concern about restricting access to healthcare.
The final vote in the House of Assembly followed an emotional debate lasting more than an hour. After an initial voice vote appeared to favour supporters of the bill, members called for a formal division.
The recorded vote ultimately defeated the proposal, with 36 MPs voting against its progression.
The outcome means South Australia’s existing abortion laws remain unchanged, preserving access to late-term abortions under the current medical approval framework.
The debate nevertheless highlighted the continuing divisions surrounding abortion policy in Australia and is likely to remain a significant issue in South Australian politics in the years ahead.
