I have to confess that I am quite excited about the next abortion debate that will kick off later this week in NSW because, for the first time in a long time, those on the side of life will finally be on the front foot when it comes to legislative reform.
Next Wednesday, 22 October, Libertarian MLC John Ruddick is set to table the Abortion Law Reform (Sex Selection Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2025, which makes sex-selective abortion a criminal offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
While Ruddick is tabling the bill, there will be a rally in support outside NSW Parliament House, led once again by the indomitable Dr Joanna Howe. This will give us all an opportunity to let the MPs in the chamber know that we want to see this bill passed.
It is the first time that I can remember where the good guys will be introducing proactive legislation that will chip away at the god of unfettered abortion.
And it feels good.
Instead of having to defend and rally against proposed legislation that will further promote the culture of death, we will be on the offensive this time, asking abortion-supporting politicians to justify why unborn babies should be terminated simply because their parents have a preference for the other sex.
Instead of trying to push back on the worst parts of damaging legislation, so-called feminist politicians will be the ones trying to push back, and – in the process – needing to offer an explanation as to how unborn baby girls can be accepted as collateral damage in their unwavering defence of access to abortion without any limits at all.
I am looking forward to seeing them try.
In previous debates, pro-abortion politicians have argued that sex-selective abortion was not happening. They characterised any attempts to ban sex selection as a ruse by pro-lifers looking to limit access to abortion, or at least to require mothers to provide a reason for their “choice.”
But that argument won’t hold water this time. Since the last debate, more evidence has come to light that clearly shows sex-selective abortion is happening in Australia.
Several studies, including one published in May of this year, provide statistical evidence of sex-selective abortion of children conceived by mothers who have migrated to Australia from countries that have a strong son preference.
So, pro-abortion politicians will either need to ignore the evidence or find another argument to justify their opposition to this bill.
If they accept the evidence that it is happening, they will likely oppose any change to the law by arguing that a ban on sex-selective abortion would be unfairly discriminatory against those cultures that prefer male babies.
“We shouldn’t impose our western morality on them,” we will be told.
But this argument is also flawed, because it will require these MPs to justify their vote by saying that sex discrimination with lethal consequences is the price we must pay to avoid possible racial discrimination.
And I think the community is smarter than that.
What’s more, the prevalence of sex selective abortion amongst certain migrant communities is only one part of the story. There is also the possibility – much harder to detect from statistical analysis – that abortion is being used for “family balancing” purposes, that is, to ensure an even mix of male and female children.
While using IVF for sex-selection is illegal (other than for sex-linked genetic conditions), sex-selective abortion is legal because abortion is legal for any reason, including to make sure a couple has a pigeon pair.
It’s not just an issue for migrants. It’s an issue for the Instagram generation as well.
With their arguments failing, pro-abortion politicians will need to be honest. They will need to admit that they are so committed to abortion on demand, at any time and for any reason, that they will cover their eyes to sex selective abortion and pretend they do not see.
I don’t think they should get away with it that easily. If they refuse to see the unborn, we should make sure they at least see (and hear) those who are able to speak up on their behalf. See you at the rally on the 22nd.
