On March 20 2024, Robbie Katter, MP for Traeger and leader of the Katter’s Australian Party, introduced the Termination of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024, widely known as the “Queensland Babies Born Alive Bill”.
Whilst not impacting access for abortions, the Bill does propose an amendment to Queensland abortion law to make it clear that if a live birth occurs after a failed
abortion procedure, the child should be treated no differently than any other child born in Queensland.
Queensland’s 207 Abortion Survivors
Those opposing the Bill have repeatedly voiced their opinion that this does not happen. However, in November 2023, LNP MP for Oodgeroo, Dr. Mark Robinson asked a question on notice to the Minister of Health, Labor MP Shannon Fentiman regarding the exact number of babies born alive from 2018-2022 Queensland. The total number was 207 babies. Of those 207, 158 babies were born between 20-28 weeks, 3 were born after 28 weeks.
Alongside this empirical data, there are also numerous reports and witness testimonies from both within Australia and overseas. These reports and testimonies range from healthcare practitioners, parents who have witnessed such an ordeal and survivors themselves. One website in particular abortionsurvivors.org provides conclusive testimonies and evidence of people that have survived the abortion procedure. Below are three heartbreaking examples from Australia alone.
Australian Stories Of Survival And Sorrow
- Jessica Jane
“Jessica Jane” a baby born in the Northern Territory on July 14, 1999, survived an abortion at 22 weeks. She was provided no life-sustaining treatment. She lived, moved and cried for approximately 80 minutes before passing away. Coroner Greg Cavanagh poignantly remarked, “The fact that her death was inevitable should not affect her entitlement to such care and attention.”
- Unnamed Baby at Westmead Hospital
A tragic case at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital saw an unnamed baby discovered in a medical waste bin. Coroner Janet Stevenson condemned the staff’s inaction,
highlighting a “total abrogation of responsibility, let alone common humanity.”
- Baby Xanthe
In 2020, at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Baby Xanthe, who had Down’s Syndrome, was born alive at 19 weeks. Her mother was not informed and was deprived of holding her as she died alone in an empty room.
All three cases underscore the profound cruelty of denying basic comfort and care to these vulnerable infants. Both Jessica Jane and Xanthe were aborted for “social” reasons, not due to any life-threatening conditions. These stories expose a stark contrast to the compassion and humanity we strive for in our society. All three cases further illustrate the urgent need for legislative change to protect the most vulnerable among us.
The Journey Of The Bill
Public submissions for the Bill closed on May 13, with Cherish Life playing a significant role in mobilising over 600 individuals to contribute. The total number of accepted submissions to the Queensland Parliament’s Inquiry was 645, a testament and demonstration of the public’s concern and engagement.
The Bill’s next milestone was a public hearing scheduled for June 10. However, news of its postponement at the end of May, with no rescheduled date, raised fears of deliberate stalling. As a standard part of the parliamentary process, the Bill ordinarily would be unable to be voted on without a public hearing.
Committee Chair Mr. Aaron Harper, Labor MP for Thuringowa, made the decision to postpone the Bill without explanation. This sparked immediate action from our supporters. Their outcry led to a rapid rescheduling of the hearing to August 19th. While the looming October election raises doubts about the Bill’s immediate passage, the rescheduling however underscores the power of public voice and collective action.
Footnotes
Queensland Parliament. “Termination Of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024” Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www. parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=238&id=4401
Queensland Parliament. “Question on Notice No. 1496 Asked on 16 November 2023,” Accessed June 20,2024. https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/14 96-2023.pdf
The Abortion Survivors Network. “Babies Survive Abortions.” Accessed June 20,2024. https://abortionsurvivors.org/
Greg Cavanagh, “Inquest into the death of Jessica Jane”. Northern Territory Government. Accessed 13 May, 2024. https://justice.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/206702/baby-j.pdf
Houghton, Des. “Qld MP Robbie Katter calls for human rights of babies born alive after abortions,” The Courier Mail, accessed 13 May, 2024. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/des-houghton/qld-mp-robbiekatter-calls-for-human-rights-of-babies-bornalive- after-abortions/newsstory/051fdd6d9fe9e3a87229944aa1fe7a9f
Jackie Sinnerton, “RBWH maternity under fire after mother not told baby briefly survived,” The Courier Mail, accessed 10 May, 2024. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/rbwhmaternityunder-fire-after-mother-not-told-baby-briefly-survived/newsstory/7511c9d29a7cc76b6adac23bee16b26b
Queensland Parliament. “Termination Of Pregnancy (Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024-Submissions” Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=238&id=4401