Senator Maria Kovacic, why do you doubt the accuracy of Louise Adsett's testimony?
This week, Australia witnessed two crucial moments in the fight to protect unborn babies who survive abortions.
On Monday, a parliamentary inquiry in Queensland heard chilling testimony from Louise Adsett, a midwife who revealed that babies born alive after failed abortions are left to die in our hospitals.
She gave several examples including this:
"A mother made a decision to abort her baby at 21 plus week's gestation. The process began in the morning with misoprostol (a poison used to kill unborn babies) given throughout the day.
The process took all day, and the baby was only delivered during the early hours of a night shift, where skeleton staff was on duty.
This baby moved vigorously, gasped for breath, and had a palpable heart rate.
To make it clear, this baby was alive. It was over 400 grams, so the baby was a good weight. The parents of this baby did not desire to see or hold this baby.
Midwives and doctors were left holding this little life while it continued to, while they continued to provide care for other women who were birthing and welcoming their babies into the world.
This baby boy fought for his life for five hours before taking his final breath."
The following day, Senator Ralph Babet took this issue to the Senate, seeking to pass an urgency motion that would recognize this horrific reality and call for the humane treatment of these newborns.
However, instead of support, Senator Babet's motion was met with division and dismissal.
Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic, who voted against the motion, raised doubts about the accuracy of Louise Adsett’s testimony.
"What is critically important in relation to this issue, and any other issues for that matter, that this chamber addresses is that we keep in mind the language that we use, the accuracy of the information that we share and the transparency for the reasons that we share them. This is not our playground. The things that we do here matter."
Family First calls upon Senator Kovacic to explain what part of Louise Adsett's testimony she finds inaccurate.
Is it the fact that these babies are being born alive? Or is it that they are being left without care and dignity?
Family First demands transparency and accountability from our elected officials, particularly when it comes to such grave matters.
The Liberal Party cannot credibly ask for the votes of pro-life Australians when one of its Senate leaders treats the testimony of a midwife whistleblower with such disdain.
Liberals who voted against protecting babies born alive and left to die.
Peter Dutton: Why Did Your Senate Leadership Vote to Continue This Practice?
The failure of this motion is a tragedy, not only for the babies who will continue to suffer but also for the integrity of our political leaders.
Family First calls on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to explain how he can justify the actions of his Senate team, including his Senate leader Simon Birmingham, who voted against this motion.
What message does this send about the values of the Liberal Party? Is it now acceptable in the party of Menzies and Howard to allow newborns to be left to die in the name of political correctness?
Senator Babet's motion was clear and necessary: it called on the Senate to recognize that at least one baby is born alive every week following a failed abortion and is then left to die.
Yet, despite this, the motion only garnered 18 votes in favour, with 32 senators, including key members of the Coalition, voting against it.
The media's failure to cover this issue adequately is also deeply concerning.
The Guardian’s report on the Senate debate omitted Louise Adsett's testimony, effectively silencing the voice of a healthcare professional who has witnessed these atrocities firsthand.
Family First questions the commitment of media outlets like The Guardian to reporting the truth when it comes to the lives of the most vulnerable among us.
The Urgency of the Matter
This is not just a political issue; it is a moral one. The decision to leave a baby born alive to die is nothing short of infanticide.
Family First asks: How can our nation claim to uphold human rights when we allow newborns, gasping for breath, to be treated like refuse?
Family First demands answers. Senator Kovacic, which part of Louise Adsett's testimony do you find inaccurate?
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, why did your leadership team vote to continue a practice that amounts to the torture of newborns?
Why does the Senate leadership team still enjoy the support of Coalition Senators?
Why is the Liberal Senate leadership on the side of the radical Greens?
These questions must be answered if we are to maintain any faith in our nation's leaders.
Let’s not allow the truth to be buried under political manoeuvring and media omission. The lives of these newborns deserve our attention and our protection.
Senators' Quotes from the Debate
-
Senator Ralph Babet:
"I cannot understand how we can bang on every single day in this place about the importance of human rights while allowing the most vulnerable human beings to be treated like garbage." -
Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic:
"What is critically important in relation to this issue, and any other issues for that matter, that this chamber addresses is that we keep in mind the language that we use, the accuracy of the information that we share and the transparency for the reasons that we share them. This is not our playground. The things that we do here matter." -
Greens Senator Larissa Waters:
"I am appalled that once again, we’re here debating women’s choices over their own bodies, choices that are no one else’s to weigh in on. Senator Babet’s claims are incorrect. Late-term abortions resulting in a live foetus are extremely rare, and they only occur in situations of lethal foetal abnormalities or serious risks to the pregnant person."
How the Senators voted on Senator Babet’s “born alive” motion.
Senators Who Voted For the Motion:
- Wendy Askew - Liberal Party (TAS)
- Ralph Babet - United Australia Party (VIC)
- Slade Brockman - Liberal Party (WA)
- Matthew Canavan - National Party (QLD)
- Michaelia Cash - Liberal Party (WA)
- Jonathan Duniam - Liberal Party (TAS)
- David Fawcett - Liberal Party (SA)
- Pauline Hanson - One Nation (QLD)
- Sarah Henderson - Liberal Party (VIC)
- Hollie Hughes - Liberal Party (NSW)
- Susan McDonald - Liberal Party (QLD)
- James McGrath - Liberal Party (QLD)
- Bridget McKenzie - National Party (VIC)
- Andrew McLachlan - Liberal Party (SA)
- Jacinta Nampijinpa Price - Country Liberal Party (NT)
- Matt O’Sullivan - Liberal Party (WA)
- Gerard Rennick - Liberal National Party (QLD)
- Malcolm Roberts - One Nation (QLD)
Senators Who Voted Against the Motion:
- Penny Allman-Payne - Greens (QLD)
- Tim Ayres - Labor (NSW)
- Catryna Bilyk - Labor (TAS)
- Simon Birmingham - Liberal Party (SA)
- Andrew Bragg - Liberal Party (NSW)
- Carol Brown - Labor (TAS)
- Dorinda Cox - Greens (WA)
- Lisa Darmanin - Labor (VIC)
- Mehreen Faruqi - Greens (NSW)
- Katy Gallagher - Labor (ACT)
- Nita Green - Labor (QLD)
- Karen Grogan - Labor (SA)
- Sarah Hanson-Young - Greens (SA)
- Steph Hodgins-May - Greens (VIC)
- Jane Hume - Liberal Party (VIC)
- Maria Kovacic - Liberal Party (NSW)
- Sue Lines - Labor (WA)
- Jenny McAllister - Labor (NSW)
- Malarndirri McCarthy - Labor (NT)
- Nick McKim - Greens (TAS)
- David Pocock - Independent (ACT)
- Louise Pratt - Labor (WA)
- David Shoebridge - Greens (NSW)
- Jordon Steele-John - Greens (WA)
- Glenn Sterle - Labor (WA)
- Jana Stewart - Labor (VIC)
- Tammy Tyrrell - Independent (TAS)
- Anne Urquhart - Labor (TAS)
- Jess Walsh - Labor (VIC)
- Larissa Waters - Greens (QLD)
- Peter Whish-Wilson - Greens (TAS)
- Penny Wong - Labor (SA)
ACTION: Join the fight for human rights for unborn babies, join the Family First Party today.
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