Abid to reform legislation relating to abortion is certain to attract comment when Liberal frontbench MLC Ben Hood co-hosts an open political forum in Mount Gambier tonight (Tuesday).


Riverland Liberal MP Tim Whetstone will be the other co-host at the Politics in the Pub session from 7pm at Jens Hotel.


Mr Hood made headlines a week ago when he introduced his Private Members Bill titled Termination of Pregnancy (Terminations and Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024 to the Legislative Council.


He spoke for 15 minutes on the merits of his proposal and the debate was adjourned. No other MLC spoke at this time.


On the following day, Mr Hood issued a 1000-word press release on the issue.


His social media posts about abortion reform have been more concise.


“This bill raises an important but challenging question: when does a child’s right to life begin to matter?” Mr Hood said.


“The only way to terminate a pregnancy after 22 weeks and six days (the age of viability) is for a mother to go through labour.


“The Bill requires that after 28 weeks – the third trimester – a healthy baby is delivered alive instead of being subjected to a painful and violent injection of potassium chloride to stop its heart and be delivered stillborn.


“It does not require the mother to form a maternal relationship with the child. After early delivery, the mother has the right to relinquish the child for adoption.


“We must find a balance between choice and responsibility. If a child can survive outside the womb, they should be given that chance.


“This bill is about protecting the right to life for viable babies at or beyond 28 weeks (seven months of pregnancy).


Support for Mr Hood’s stance has come from the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.


Vicar General and former Mount Gambier and Millicent parish priest Father Dean Marin has voiced support for the proposed law.


“The Catholic Church supports any legislation aimed at protecting the unborn child,” Father Dean told the city press.