Withdrawal

Larissa Waters

I move:

That general business order of the day no. 28, relating to the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022, be discharged from the Notice Paper.

Simon Birmingham

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Simon Birmingham

I do not support the bill that is the subject of this discharge motion. Like Senators Hume, Kovacic and a number of my colleagues, 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. Private senators' bills have traditionally only ever been discharged by the sponsoring senator, rather than the majority denying a senator the right to even have their bill considered. 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. The Greens did not oppose the introduction of the bill, the first reading of the bill or the Senate referral of the bill.

In fact, frankly, until today, they've spent more time opposing transmission lines inquiries than this bill. 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.

Malcolm Roberts

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts

One Nation opposes this motion. Only Queensland and Victoria publicly release fulsome data on babies born alive after abortion. From this information and from media reports, we know of the following babies born alive, tossed in a cold, stainless-steel kidney dish and left to die alone and shivering: Victoria, 396; Queensland, 328; South Australia, 54; Western Australia, 27; New South Wales, one—they don't know; Northern Territory, one; and the ACT—not reported. Senator Waters may never acknowledge this reality. These numbers are significantly less than the overall number of babies born alive following a failed abortion—babies born alive. Data reporting on abortion varies between states and territories, and there's only limited data publicly released. This is a disgrace.

David Pocock

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

David Pocock

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.

Tammy Tyrrell

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Tammy Tyrrell

I think the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill is abhorrent. 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. 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.

Sue Lines

The question is that general business notice of motion no. 677, standing the in name of Senator Waters be agreed to.