The second attempt to change SA abortion laws

Upper House MP Sarah Game has launched a renewed push to further legally restrict abortion in South Australia, proposing a bill that would deny terminations after 23 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, abortions beyond this point are permitted with the approval of two doctors if continuing the pregnancy poses a significant risk to the physical or mental health of the pregnant person. Game’s bill proposes to remove mental health as a valid reason, limiting late-term abortions to cases involving life-threatening conditions or severe foetal abnormalities. Ms Game says, “I am optimistic this bill will pass swiftly through the parliament.”

“It is time our laws protect the most vulnerable – healthy, viable babies – without compromising the care mothers need.” -Game

The proposal is endorsed by anti-abortion campaigner Dr Joanna Howe, but faces strong opposition from abortion rights advocates and MPs like Tammy Franks, who argue it politicises healthcare and undermines women’s rights. Franks also objected to the timing of the bill, calling it a political move hoping to garner support for the March 2026 state election.

“We’ve got something like 15 sitting days left of the parliament, so to put up an abortion bill now will not lead to an informed proper debate – it will lead to the politicisation of abortion.” -Franks

This marks the second attempt in under a year to amend South Australia’s abortion laws. A similar bill introduced by Liberal MP Ben Hood in 2024, which would have made it mandatory to prematurely induce live births after 27 weeks instead of terminating pregnancies, was narrowly defeated with ten votes to nine.

Game’s bill, which was drafted with input from Dr Howe, aims to address what she describes as unintended consequences of the 2021 abortion law reforms. She insists the changes would protect “healthy, viable babies” while ensuring care for mothers under the Mental Health Act. However, critics argue that medical decisions should remain in the hands of doctors, rather than politicians. Both major parties have confirmed that if the bill is to pass, it will need to survive a conscience vote, during which there will be no obligation for members of parliament to follow party lines.

Sources:

• Bermingham, K. (2025, September 5). New push to change South Australian abortion laws. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-05/sarah-game-introduces-new-abortion-bill-amendments/105734080
• Shepherd, T. (2024, October 17). South Australia’s upper house narrowly rejects “Trumpian” bill to wind back abortion care. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/16/south-australias-upper-house-narrowly-rejects-trumpian-bill-to-wind-back-abortion-care