Labor and Coalition set to reject bill to stop incarcerated women being shackled in childbirth
Liberal Paul Scarr breaks ranks to condemn major parties, saying he will write to Queensland attorney general Labor and the Coalition are set to reject a bill that would have banned the shackling of incarcerated women during childbirth, with the government saying it was the responsibility of the states and territories. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe introduced the bills into the senate, which…
Labor and the Coalition are set to reject a bill introduced by Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe that aims to ban the shackling of incarcerated women during childbirth and prohibit the strip-searching of children. Thorpe argued that the practices are barbaric, inhumane, and unnecessary, citing the power of the Senate to end them.
The government responded that criminal justice responsibilities primarily fall to state and territory governments. Queensland Liberal Senator Paul Scarr joined Thorpe in condemning the bill's rejection, expressing deep concern over the nationwide practice and urging the Prime Minister to convene a national cabinet meeting. The Senate previously adopted the UN Bangkok Rules in 2017, which prohibited the use of restraints on pregnant women during labor, birth, and immediately after birth.
Despite the global consensus, these rules are frequently disregarded. Opposition leader David Shoebridge harshly criticized the two major parties for rejecting the bill, stating that they come to the Senate claiming the issue is a matter for the states and territories.
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