A bill attempting to effectively ban late-term abortions in South Australia has been voted down in the Lower House of South Australian parliament, only hours after the Upper House had passed the bill through.
But its supporters are celebrating the greatest progress to date for an anti-abortion bill in the South Australian parliament and pointing to a shift in cultural attitudes about the practice around the country.
Similar bills introduced to the state’s Upper House in 2024 and 2025 were scuppered at the first level.
The bill, which was defeated 36 votes to nine on 17 June, was introduced by Family First MLC Sarah Game and, if passed, would have banned abortions from 25 weeks onwards.
The bill also included amendments allowing a late-term abortion if the mother’s life was in danger, or if there was evidence of significant fetal abnormalities.
The latter amendment was included by Labor MLC Tung Ngo during the debate.
The original bill initially argued that fetal abnormalities as a line of reasoning to pursue a late-term abortion would allow for greater accessibility to the practice.
Earlier in the day, the upper house narrowly passed the bill by ten votes to nine, after three newly-elected One Nation members of the upper house voted in its favour.
Addressing parliament before the Lower House debate, Game said the bill was reflective of the changing political reality in South Australia, following a March election which saw a greater representation of conservative politics through the rise of One Nation.
“The public’s been fully aware of the new parties that have entered this chamber, and their stance on abortion,” she said.
Game later indicated to ABC Radio on 18 June she may introduce further pro-life legislation. “I would not rule anything out,” she said.
Both the South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn voted in favour of the bill but declined to speak on it when introduced.
Game said their support represented a cultural shift in the perception of abortion in Australia.
“I think the support of the Premier, the support of the Leader of the Opposition, the support of the Upper House, the support of the people outside protesting [in favour of the bill] shows that community sentiment is changing,” she said.
“I certainly think that change is on the horizon.”
One Nation MLC Chantelle Thomas introduced the bill to the Lower House but had sought to defer the debate to November and criticised the government for rushing it through within one day.
“This is a matter on which members should rightly be afforded a conscience vote, and therefore as much time as possible to consider it,” she said.
“It is disappointing that the members will now not be able to consult properly with the constituents before speaking for them.”
Upon reaching the Lower House, only 12 of the 47 members spoke on the bill, mostly to criticise it.
Health Minister Blair Boyer said he opposed the bill as a matter of conscience, and on the advice of medical professionals across the state.
“I am firmly of the belief that we already have a fit for purpose legislative framework which treats abortion as healthcare,” he said.
One Nation MLC David Paton supported the bill, but said he believes the abortion debate had transformed from being a “black and white subject.”
“I am the grandson of a single, young female who, if put in that position today because of abortion laws probably would have made a different decision to what she did almost 70 years ago,” he said.
“I would not be standing here right now, and that’s why I believe in protecting the rights of the unborn child wherever I can.”
The response the bill is the latest development in the growth of a pro-life movement in Australia.
Earlier in June prominent pro-life advocate Joanna Howe drew thousands of Sydneysiders outside NSW Parliament House to support a bill from Libertarian MLC John Ruddick calling for an amendment to the state’s abortion legislation regarding the practice of sex-selective abortion.
