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Senate Blocked Bill Banning Shackling Women in Childbirth

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 11:58 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Labor Party and Coalition blocked a Senate vote on a bill banning shackling women during childbirth.
Senator Lidia Thorpe introduced bills to ban shackling pregnant prisoners and stop strip-searching children.
In Queensland an Indigenous woman in labour was shackled to a hospital bed during a caesarean.
Queensland corrective services launched an internal review, saying restraints are a last resort for pregnant prisoners.

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Story summary

Labor Party and Coalition blocked a Senate vote on a bill banning shackling women during childbirth.
Senator Lidia Thorpe introduced bills to ban shackling pregnant prisoners and stop strip-searching children.
In Queensland an Indigenous woman in labour was shackled to a hospital bed during a caesarean.
Queensland corrective services launched an internal review, saying restraints are a last resort for pregnant prisoners.