The lack of empathy and understanding here is genuinely shocking. Who could fail to feel deeply for parents enduring the heartbreak of losing a baby? Apparently Barnaby Joyce and his Coalition mates can.
Baby Priya’s Bill was about giving grieving parents certainty and compassion — a small measure of humanity in the face of tragedy. Instead, Barnaby Joyce, Andrew Hastie and others twisted it into a culture war talking point, misrepresenting its intent and exploiting heartbreak for political gain.
In doing so, they’ve drawn a very long bow just to score a cheap political point — and in the process, they’ve shown exactly how low they’re willing to go.
Late-term abortions are extremely rare in Australia — around 1% of all abortions — and are carried out only for heartrending reasons, often involving serious risks to the mother or fatal conditions for the baby. To use those cases to whip up fear and division is not just dishonest, it’s cruel.
Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie need to get out of the way and let the Senate pass this much-needed Bill. Their behaviour is deeply offensive to women. They are targeting women when they are grieving and at their most vulnerable — it’s unconscionable.
It’s no surprise then that the Coalition is losing the women’s vote. Who do these men think they are — to lecture, to shame, and to twist the truth while showing so little compassion?
The Coalition boyz’ behaviour shows a stunning lack of decency and empathy. This isn’t leadership — it’s a disgrace.
Denise McHugh is an experienced educator in Tamworth. She is Deputy President of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union and Chair of the NSW ALP Education and Skills Committee.
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Lnp don’t have empathy except for billionaires not being able to dig up the country for profit
Ellen Maree You do realise that without digging up resources this country collapses? We don’t do anything else.
Completely biased propaganda. The original bill has a beautiful intention, but it is a major issue to be forcing private employers to pay women for late term abortions. Barnaby and Hastie have done the right thing to call out this unbelievable loophole that the ALP is unwilling to close. And, contrary to this article, we have statistics that show that the majority of late term abortions take place on healthy viable babies where mum’s life is NOT at risk (generally psychosocial reasons).
Thank you for this compassionate letter.
Very well stated and one with compassion . Thank you Denise.
Horrible, stupid pair. Beggars belief that anyone could vote for either.
Well worded
Ok so where is the rest of the story. Bit light on for me to be making any decisions about anyones future. What happened to the child? What was said by the pollies. More information required
Hopefully you don’t get a vote!!!
Disgraceful and Dispespect for Parents that go through losing a Baby.