Over a 10-year period, 724 babies in Victoria and Queensland survived failed abortion attempts but were left to die by medical staff, and experts warn that number could be higher given the lack of data across most Australian jurisdictions.
Federal senators are investigating potential laws to govern how medical staff should respond when babies survive late-term abortion attempts.
“There is a pressing need for a federal law to give equal protection to babies born alive following an abortion …” wrote Prof. Joanna Howe in a submission to the Senate inquiry into the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022 (pdf).
“In Queensland, for example, the Termination of Pregnancy Guidelines make it clear that there is to be no provision of medical care (either palliative care or life-saving treatment) to a baby who survives an abortion.”…