Greens Motion to Remove Babies Born Alive Bill Voted Down Due to Senate Concerns of Free Speech
A motion by Greens Senator Larissa Waters to remove the Children Born Alive Bill from the Senate notice paper was narrowly defeated 30–28 yesterday.
All eleven Greens’ senators were joined by 17 Labor ones in favour of the motion.
However, the numbers fell short by a majority of two.
23 Coalition senators, combined with seven from minor parties and independents, were enough to see the motion fail.
The result means that the bill, cosponsored by senators Alex Antic, Ralph Babet and Matthew Canavan, remains alive in the Senate until the next federal election.
Senator Babet’s Speech
Senator Babet made a short defence of the bill and against Waters’ motion the previous day.
His two-minute speech is credited with swaying senators to vote against the motion.
“There are those in this place who say they are all about democracy. All about human rights. Yet they continually undermine democracy and show disdain for human rights”, he began.
“The move to have the Born Alive Bill which was cosponsored by myself, Senator Canavan and Senator Antic removed from the notice paper is a case in point.
The Victorian senator maintained that the motion to prevent discussion on the bill went against the principle of free speech and parliamentary procedure.
“Now, can you imagine elected representatives who will not tolerate even a discussion on the rights of babies born alive after a botched late-term abortion?”, he argued.
“The move to shut down the discussion on the welfare of babies is just unconscionable.”
“There are those in this place whose love of democracy, in my opinion, is self-serving. And whose advocacy of human rights is entirely selective.
“Shame on those who don’t support the Born Alive Bill and seek to silence discussion on the issue.
“What you have done is really beyond politicking. May God forgive you.”
Coalition and Crossbench Uphold the Right to Debate
No senators gave a speech in favour of Waters’ motion.
However, three senators who strongly opposed the bill nevertheless spoke in favour of their colleagues’ right to have a proper debate.
As it turned out, it was these senators who determined that the motion would fail.
The first to make a speech, South Australian Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham, began, “I do not support the bill that is the subject of this discharge motion.”
“I would not and will not ever vote for this bill or any measures that restrict women’s reproductive rights.
“However, the Coalition opposes this motion because this motion is a threat to the ability of private senators to perform their duties in this place.
“Crossbench senators in particular should reflect on the precedent this motion sets, which could see other bills discharged just because a majority oppose them.
“Given that this bill has been on the Notice Paper for almost two years, the decision of the Greens to pursue this at this time is clearly about politics, not the substantive issue.
“Senators, whatever your views on the substance, I urge you to respect the principle of allowing each other to at least have bills debated and considered, by voting against this discharge motion.”
‘Undemocratic’: Independents David Pocock and Tammy Tyrrell
Similarly, ACT Independent Senator David Pocock voiced his opposition to the bill but the right of those to bring it for discussion in the Senate.
“I believe it is undemocratic for the Senate to remove this bill without debate”, he argued.
“As much as we may disagree with the senators that have brought this bill into the chamber, under the standing orders they have the right to do so and to have their bills debated.”
Senator Tammy Tyrrell began her speech against the motion by voicing her strong opposition to the bill. “I think the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill is abhorrent”, she began.
“I don’t support the bill, but I support the right of anyone who wants to debate the bill, either in support or in opposition, to have the chance to speak.”
The independent senator for Tasmania then referenced Babet’s speech for why she was changing her vote on the motion.
“When I saw this motion, my first instinct was to support it, but then I listened to Senator Babet speak in the chamber about debate on this bill being stifled.
“Senator Babet’s words reminded me that our democracy gives us the opportunity to share our thoughts.
“I’m not supporting the motion to discharge the bill from the Notice Paper. We should all have equal opportunity to speak on what is important to us and to those that we represent.”
Voting Record
The motion to discharge the Children Born Alive Bill from the Senate was voted down with 28 in favour of it, and 30 against.
Ayes: 28
| Senator | Party/State/Territory |
| Penny Allman-Payne | Greens – QLD |
| Tim Ayres | Labor – NSW |
| Catryna Bilyk | Labor – TAS |
| Carol Brown | Labor – TAS |
| Anthony Chisholm | Labor – QLD |
| 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 |
| Sue Lines | Labor – WA |
| Jenny McAllister | Labor – NSW |
| Malarndirri McCarthy | Labor – NT |
| Nick McKim | Greens – TAS |
| Barbara Pocock | Greens – SA |
| David Shoebridge | Greens – NSW |
| Jordon Steele-John | Greens – WA |
| Glenn Sterle | Labor – WA |
| Jana Stewart | Labor – VIC |
| Anne Urquhart | Labor – TAS |
| Jess Walsh | Labor – VIC |
| Larissa Waters | Greens – QLD |
| Murray Watt | Labor – QLD |
| Peter Whish-Wilson | Greens – TAS |
| Penny Wong | Labor – SA |
Noes
| Senator | Party/State/Territory |
| Alex Antic | Liberal – SA |
| Wendy Askew | Liberal – TAS |
| Ralph Babet | UAP – VIC |
| Simon Birmingham | Liberal – SA |
| Ross Cadell | Nationals – NSW |
| Matthew Canavan | Nationals – QLD |
| Claire Chandler | Liberal – TAS |
| Richard Colbeck | Liberal – TAS |
| Perin Davey | Nationals – NSW |
| Jonathan Duniam | Liberal – TAS |
| David Fawcett | Liberal – SA |
| Pauline Hanson | PHON – QLD |
| Sarah Henderson | Liberal – VIC |
| Hollie Hughes | Liberal – NSW |
| Jacquie Lambie | IND – TAS |
| Kerrynne Liddle | Liberal – SA |
| Susan McDonald | Liberal – QLD |
| James McGrath | Liberal – QLD |
| Bridget McKenzie | Nationals – VIC |
| Andrew McLachlan | Liberal – SA |
| Jacinta Nampijinpa Price | CLP – NT |
| James Paterson | Liberal – VIC |
| David Pocock | IND – ACT |
| Gerard Rennick | IND – QLD |
| Linda Reynolds | Liberal – WA |
| Malcolm Roberts | PHON – QLD |
| Anne Ruston | Liberal – SA |
| Paul Scarr | Liberal – QLD |
| Dean Smith | Liberal – WA |
| Tammy Tyrrell | IND – TAS |
Michaelia Cash (Liberal – WA) and Don Farrell (Labor – SA) votes were paired.
___
Photo via Ralph Babet/YouTube.
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Wow !!!! THis is a miracle of God. I fully expected this evil motion by the Greens to succeeed. This is an act of Gods grace and some wise parliamentarians! Thanks for your prayers!!!!
May God’s will be done on earth – even here in Australia – as it is done in heaven.
Jesus said, I have come to give LIFE, and give it abundantly.
Grateful praise for this outcome in favour of ‘free speech’, so the voiceless can have their cases heard.
Gratitude to all those who voted against this further demonstration of the Greens’ moral bankruptcy.
Watching Landline on the ABC at the weekend…there was a segment on the cruel treatment of bobby calves, killed ,often cruelly, because they are surplus to requirements..it was a moving and disturbing presentation. However I could not help but think how people can be outraged by this practise and yet stand up for late term, horrific abortion practises being carried out in our hospitals..my heart was broken.
Hi Margaret, As I watched that Landline segment, I too thought with sadness that people would (rightly) feel concern for these little calves who have such short lives, yet there is not great public outrage over tiny human babies, born alive, left to die alone as the result of an abortion. With all we know of when life begins, of the uniqueness, the value the worth of human life, it was staggering to hear that some senators opposed the motion, not out of concern for these babies but for the concern for parlimentary procedure! But we will take that with gratefulness…….their support stopped the motion being passed! Praise God for this mercy.
The once great Labor Party does not have one senator who has the courage and decency to support defenseless babies. You show your true character when you’re not even prepared to debate this important social issue. By siding with the Greens, you demonstrated what a Labor-Greens alliance would like.
Thankyou Samuel for such a comprehensive report. May it give state governments hope to debate a bill in depth and give a chance to protect innocent lives to live.
It is fantastic the Senators’ votes supported the innocent and that enough stood up for ethics of righteousness, dignity of the unborn and for the little ones who have no voice.
I pray that others will follow this example and thank each Senator who stood up for the baby’s rights to live.
Re Regional state Govts: My prayer is now to see the Qld premier and LNP repeal the decision to have no debate whatsoever about abortion for the next 4 years.
Such a decision came unexpectedly from the ‘left field’ and shows a total disregard for Human babies right to live and to be cherished. It is incomprehensible to have a new Govt with a Liberal and national background, to do this. May God have mercy and turn things round.
Meanwhile may God bless the above 30 Senators who thought things through very carefully and voted to protect babies. They showed they had a sharp and Godly conscience and true care for the unborn. Amen
How can a comment like this be treated as civilised debate?:
Senator Tammy Tyrrell began her speech… “I think the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill is abhorrent”, she began.
Silly me… protecting newborns is abhorrent.
They will call evil good.