I write to urge you to prioritise the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022 for parliamentary debate in the Senate. It is shocking that babies in Australia are being born alive and left to die. Data shows that as many as 12 per cent of babies are born alive during late-term abortions in Victoria (198 out of 1626 late term abortions). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that children need care and protection “both before and after birth”. Thirty years ago, Australia became a ratified signatory of this convention. In many Australian states, doctors are not required to provide medical assistance to children born alive following an abortion procedure. The latest Queensland Health guidance now recognises “If a baby is born with signs of life, provide care appropriate to the individual clinical circumstances and in accordance with best practice guidelines”. Health regulations in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland now recognise that babies are born after abortion, but other states have still not acted. Children who survive an abortion are entitled to the same rights and medical treatment as any other human being. Please prioritise debate time for this life-protecting legislation which ensures babies are not heartlessly left to die without care.

I write to urge you to prioritise the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022 for parliamentary debate in the Senate. It is shocking that babies in Australia are being born alive and left to die. Data shows that as many as 12 per cent of babies are born alive during late-term abortions in Victoria (198 out of 1626 late term abortions). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that children need care and protection “both before and after birth”. Thirty years ago, Australia became a ratified signatory of this convention. In many Australian states, doctors are not required to provide medical assistance to children born alive following an abortion procedure. The latest Queensland Health guidance now recognises “If a baby is born with signs of life, provide care appropriate to the individual clinical circumstances and in accordance with best practice guidelines”. Health regulations in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland now recognise that babies are born after abortion, but other states have still not acted. Children who survive an abortion are entitled to the same rights and medical treatment as any other human being. Please prioritise debate time for this life-protecting legislation which ensures babies are not heartlessly left to die without care.

I write to urge you to prioritise the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022 for parliamentary debate in the Senate. It is shocking that babies in Australia are being born alive and left to die. Data shows that as many as 12 per cent of babies are born alive during late-term abortions in Victoria (198 out of 1626 late term abortions). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that children need care and protection “both before and after birth”. Thirty years ago, Australia became a ratified signatory of this convention. In many Australian states, doctors are not required to provide medical assistance to children born alive following an abortion procedure. The latest Queensland Health guidance now recognises “If a baby is born with signs of life, provide care appropriate to the individual clinical circumstances and in accordance with best practice guidelines”. Health regulations in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland now recognise that babies are born after abortion, but other states have still not acted. Children who survive an abortion are entitled to the same rights and medical treatment as any other human being. Please prioritise debate time for this life-protecting legislation which ensures babies are not heartlessly left to die without care.