For decades, pro-life Australians have fought courageously for the unborn. They have organised rallies, written submissions, contacted MPs, supported good candidates, prayed, donated, and stood firm in the face of setback after setback. Meanwhile, abortion laws became increasingly radical. In recent years especially, abortion-to-birth legislation has swept across much of Australia. We’ve been told many times the debate is now over, the laws were settled, and no parliament will ever revisit the issue.
Then came last night. In an incredible result, the pro-life cause achieved its greatest parliamentary breakthrough in Australian history. Family First MLC Sarah Game‘s bill, which sought to restore protections for unborn children from 25 weeks’ gestation, passed the South Australian Legislative Council (Upper House).
Only five years ago, South Australia passed one of the most radical abortion laws in the country. Those laws were presented as settled. Done and dusted. Yet last night, a slim majority of parliamentarians said otherwise. In a narrow 10 votes to 9 result, the bill passed.
Major credit also to pro-life advocate Dr Joanna Howe, whose tireless advocacy has helped bring this issue back onto the national agenda.
The two parliamentary games changers that led to this moment, in my opinion, were:
Firstly, rank-and-file Christian and conservative members of the SA Liberal Party preselecting candidates such that a majority of its upper house members consistently vote pro-life.
Secondly, the election in March this year of 3 One Nation MLCs, who all supported the bill. The arrival of these new members narrowly tipped the balance.
I suspect many supporters of life are so accustomed to disappointment that they may not fully appreciate the significance of what has occurred.
Great causes rarely achieve success overnight.
When William Wilberforce began his long campaign against the slave trade, he did not begin with victory. He endured defeat after defeat, year after year. But those setbacks were not the whole story. Each vote demonstrated that what had once seemed politically impossible was becoming politically possible. Each breakthrough laid the foundation for future success. Eventually, the tide turned.
Likewise, last night demonstrated that abortion-to-birth laws are not beyond challenge. It demonstrated that politicians are willing to revisit questions many considered untouchable – and only five years after abortion-to-birth became law. By the standards of major social reform movements, that is remarkably quick!
Pulling a Swifty on Parliamentary Process
Unfortunately, the bill was later defeated in the House of Assembly, 35 votes to 9. That outcome was disappointing, but hardly unexpected in a house utterly dominated by the incumbent SA Labor Government. But it’s the circumstances of the debate there that should anger people.
Having passed one house of parliament, many people would reasonably have expected an opportunity to then contact their local lower house MP – especially on an issue of such importance. Instead, Labor rushed the bill into debate almost immediately – the same night – and it was over in less than two hours. The importance of numbers, yet again.
Fortunately, we know Jesus is returning soon to restore righteousness, keep your focus on that truth as we also know that the spiritual battle will only intensify with tribulation, even great tribulation prophesied for Christians.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 