{
  "id": 14571145,
  "title": "Labor and Coalition set to reject bill to stop incarcerated women being shackled in childbirth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/labor-and-coalition-set-to-reject-bill-to-stop-incarcerated-women",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T00:22:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian",
    "slug": "the-guardian",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/15/labor-coalition-bill-banning-shackling-incarcerated-women-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Labor and the Coalition are poised to reject a bill introduced by independent Senator Lidia Thorpe that would have prohibited the shackling of incarcerated women during childbirth and prevented the strip-searching of children. Thorpe argued that such practices are both inhumane and unnecessary, stating that shackling a woman in labor and searching a child's body are \"barbaric, inhumane traumatic and totally unnecessary practices\". Despite the government asserting that the responsibility of criminal justice predominantly lies with state and territory governments, the Coalition acknowledged the intent behind the bill but expressed it would not support its passage. Independent senator Paul Scarr, who broke ranks with his party, expressed deep concern over the nationwide practice and vowed to raise it with Queensland's attorney general. The bill's introduction comes as the UN general assembly adopted the Bangkok Rules in 2013, which explicitly prohibit the use of restraints on pregnant women during childbirth and stipulate that \"instruments of restraint shall never be used on women during labor, during birth and immediately after birth\". These rules were adopted unanimously, yet they continue to be disregarded around the globe.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Labor and Coalition poised to reject Thorpe's bill",
    "Thorpe calls shackling, child searches barbaric and unnecessary",
    "Independent Scarr breaks ranks, vows to raise concern"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian Australia",
        "title": "Labor and Coalition set to reject bill to stop incarcerated women being shackled in childbirth",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/labor-and-coalition-set-to-reject-bill-to-stop-incarcerated-women-14571856",
        "published": "2026-10-15T00:22:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}