David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

This is not a bill that I intend to support. Regulations surrounding abortion care are matters for the states and territories, not for this parliament. Neither side should seek to play politics with what is an issue of women's health care. In the ACT, there are already laws that ensure care is provided to all babies born alive, no matter the circumstances of their birth. If senators feel that those laws are not being upheld, they should take it up with their state or territory.

The bill is dishonestly framed to make political points; however, I believe it is undemocratic for the Senate to remove this bill without debate. There are many opportunities to oppose the first reading or the referral to committee, and those were not taken, as has been pointed out. This has been sitting here for two years. 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.