State MP Robert Roylance weighs in on abortion debate
The Member for Hammond has come out on the losing side of a contentious vote after advocating for “a more clearly defined boundary at the later stages of pregnancy”.
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The Murraylands’ state MP has voted in favour of restricting access to late-term abortion during a contentious parliamentary debate.
Parliament took a vote last week on legislation which would have prevented the termination of any pregnancy after 24 weeks and six days, except when two doctors agree it is necessary to save the mother’s life.
At present, late-term abortions are also an option when there are serious risks to the mother’s physical or mental health, or severe foetal abnormalities – again, so long as two doctors agree.
The proposal was ultimately defeated in a 36-9 vote in the House of Assembly, meaning the law will not change.
But the Murraylands’ representative, Robert Roylance, was one of those in favour of what he described as “setting a more clearly defined boundary at the later stages of pregnancy”.
He described the issue as serious, sensitive and deeply personal.
His viewpoint was that unborn children needed increased protection.
“A civilised society is judged in part by how it treats its most vulnerable members, and few are more vulnerable than the unborn child, who has no voice in this debate,” he said.
“As members of parliament, we are entrusted with shaping not only the laws, but the moral character of our state.”
He argued that medical advances had made it possible for even very premature infants to survive after birth, and described the proposed changes as a measured adjustment.
“I acknowledge that opponents of this bill raise serious and sincerely held concerns … (which) must not be dismissed lightly,” he said.
“They reflect real situations that require compassion, high-quality care and appropriate support.
“This bill does not remove care or support, nor does it prevent clinical treatment.”
State MP Jason Virgo, from neighbouring MacKillop, did not give a speech during the debate.
However, he, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn were also among the nine lower-house MPs who voted in favour of the unsuccessful bill.
It had already been approved by the parliament’s upper house in a 10-9 vote, with the backing of anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe, the Australian Christian Lobby and other “pro-life” groups.
But it will go no further – the law will stay as it is.
Both the Law Society of South Australia and the Australian Medical Association – the peak bodies representing lawyers and doctors – had advocated against changing the laws around abortion.
Both said it should continue to be treated as a medical issue, not a legal one.
The change would ultimately have affected a relatively small number of women.
Of the 4725 terminations reported in SA in 2024, just 48 took place after 22 weeks and six days, according to Preventative Health SA.
Mr Roylance’s predecessor, Adrian Pederick, had also voted against increasing access to abortion when the law was last changed in 2021.
- Get help: Contact the Pregnancy Advisory Centre by calling 7117 8999 or visiting www.calhn.sa.gov.au/pregnancy-advisory-centre; or talk to your GP.
- Read more: Abortion reform rolls ahead despite opposition from MP Adrian Pederick
Disclosure: Mr Roylance is an advertising client of Murray Bridge News. Per our editorial policy, that fact has not influenced our decision to cover this story or shaped our coverage.
