Australia news live: Non-stop Sydney-London flights delayed again; anti-abortion bill blocked in SA

Key events All major medical organisations, including the Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Ranzcog), the Australian Medical Association, and the College of Midwives, opposed the bill. The vast majority (more than 90%) of abortions are done in the first trimester. SA Health data show that in 2023, fewer than 1% (47) occurred after 23 weeks’ gestation. “Of these 47 terminations, 37 were conducted for the physical or mental health of the mother, and 10 were for fetal anomalies,” SA Health has said. “In the first 18 months after the legislation was implemented, there were less than five terminations performed after 27 weeks and no terminations after 29 weeks.” “Any abortion conducted at this stage is due to the life-limiting condition of the fetus and, or, serious threats to the pregnant woman’s health and life. It also requires the approval of two doctors,” Ranzcog said in a statement. The first bill to re-criminalise abortion in the nation’s history passed South Australia’s upper house last night – but failed in the lower house despite the support of the premier and opposition leader. Abortion was decriminalised in all states and territories by 2024, but there have been multiple recent attempts to put it back in the criminal act. The latest bill to criminalise late-term abortions passed South Australia’s upper house by one vote last night, with the help of the votes of the three newly elected One Nation MLCs. …