A new abortion law reform bill set to be introduced in the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament this week seeks to prohibit abortions performed on the basis of a baby’s sex.
Pro-life advocates say the proposed legislation follows new academic research showing evidence of sex-selective abortion in Australia—an issue long dismissed by abortion-rights supporters as a myth. The Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Sex Selection Prohibition) Bill 2025, to be tabled Wednesday by Libertarian Party lawmaker John Ruddick in the NSW Upper House, aims to make it illegal to terminate a pregnancy for reasons of fetal sex.
Pro-life group Love Sydney said in an Oct. 20 update to supporters that lawmakers in New South Wales must reconsider their stance on the issue, arguing that new research disproves claims by abortion-rights advocates that sex-selective abortion is a myth.
“An Australian peer reviewed academic study by Edith Cowan University and Curtin University academics was published earlier this year, and it shows that there are a disproportionately higher number of boys being born among certain ethnic communities as opposed to girls,” stated Love Sydney.
In response to the study, Ruddick is introducing a bill that would impose an outright ban on sex-selective abortions in New South Wales.
“While the South Australian Parliament successfully included an amendment to ban sex-selective abortions in 2021, NSW MPs rejected a similar amendment when abortion was legalised up until birth in NSW in 2019,” stated Love Sydney. “Ruddick’s Bill will seek to right this wrong and prevent babies from being killed on the basis of his or her sex.”
Love Sydney urged pro-life advocates to back the proposed law, calling it a step toward ending sex-based discrimination before birth.
“To do this, we must pray and act,” the group said, encouraging supporters to intercede for lawmakers and to take concrete steps in support of the bill. “Pray that our politicians’ hearts and minds will be moved by the plight of these babies and that they will support this bill. But it is equally important that actions accompany prayer.”
A rally in support of the bill will be held outside the New South Wales Parliament on Wednesday, led by pro-life advocate Dr. Joanna Howe.
“Every great social change is precipitated by people coming out in large numbers like that. That is just such an important part of driving change,” she told Catholic Weekly. “In my view, if you’re pro-life, and you don’t attend the rallies, then you’re not really pro-life.
“Rallies are fundamental to communicating that we care about this issue. Politicians aren’t going to believe that you’re committed on abortion if you don’t take a few hours out of your year to attend a pro-life rally.”
“Love Sydney strongly encourages supporters to stand with John Ruddick MLC by attending the rally and taking a public stand for life,” the group said, urging advocates to also contact their local representatives to voice support for the bill.
“It is time for the tide to turn in New South Wales—for us to love life more than death. We pray that this bill succeeds and becomes a catalyst for lasting change.”
