One Nation pushes for abortion restrictions in NSW, focusing on sex-selective and late-term bans

Consensus Summary

One Nation’s NSW leader, Mike Newman, has sparked controversy by clarifying the party’s stance on abortion after initially stating it wanted to 'stop abortion' entirely. Speaking at a June rally with anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe, Newman later backtracked, emphasizing One Nation’s opposition to late-term and sex-selective abortions while claiming to support first-trimester access for medical reasons. The party’s policy, labeled 'pro-life,' calls for rolling back 'brutal and extreme abortion laws,' though it lacks specific gestational limits. Meanwhile, NSW parliament is debating a bill by Libertarian MP John Ruddick to explicitly ban sex-selective abortions—a practice already prohibited under NSW Health policies, with practitioners facing disciplinary action if violated.

The push for stricter abortion laws follows a NSW Health review that found 15,973 terminations between October 2019 and September 2020, with 13 cases marked as 'sole purpose of sex selection.' However, the review noted that 10 of these likely resulted from reporting errors, as they occurred within a nine-week gestation period when gender determination is unreliable. Supporters of the Ruddick bill point to a 2025 study from Edith Cowan University, which analyzed birth data from 1994 to 2015 and identified 'patterns consistent with male-biased sex birth ratios' in certain migrant groups, though the study acknowledged it did not prove causality. The bill’s passage remains uncertain, with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park dismissing claims of widespread sex-selective abortions as lacking evidence.

Key figures in the debate include Newman, who has faced scrutiny over his reliance on Howe’s claims about sex-selective abortions, and federal One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, who previously attended a June rally supporting the ban. Joyce framed his support as the 'right thing to do,' despite potential political fallout. Howe, a law professor, has been accused of spreading misinformation and bullying politicians, while Greens MP Amanda Cohn condemned the bill as a 'thinly veiled attempt' to reduce reproductive rights. The ABC reports that NSW Premier Chris Minns warned voters to scrutinize One Nation’s policies ahead of the March election, suggesting a One Nation-led government could take power if the current administration falls.

The two articles diverge slightly on the prevalence of sex-selective abortions, with the Guardian citing 'three cases' in the year to 2020, while the ABC reports '13 cases' were flagged, though most were likely errors. The Guardian also highlights Newman’s reference to the debunked 'babies born alive' claim, which the ABC does not mention. Both outlets agree that the bill’s supporters are using the 2025 study to argue for stricter laws, despite its limitations. The Guardian emphasizes Newman’s clarification process, including his admission of a 'mistake' in his initial rhetoric, while the ABC focuses more on Howe’s endorsement of Newman and the political stakes ahead of the election.

What happens next remains unclear, though the Ruddick bill is not expected to pass easily. The Guardian notes that abortion is decriminalized in NSW, with sex-selective abortions already banned under professional misconduct rules, making the proposed legislation largely symbolic. One Nation’s broader agenda—including potential restrictions on late-term abortions—could resurface if the party gains power, particularly if the March election results in a government shift. Experts warn that the bill is part of a larger effort to limit reproductive rights, with Greens MP Cohn calling it a deliberate strategy to erode access. The debate underscores deep divisions over abortion policy in NSW, with both sides preparing for a contentious legislative battle.