Australian Politics

Labor and the Coalition have blocked a vote on a bill that would have banned the shackling of incarcerated women during childbirth, with the government saying it was the responsibility of the states and territories.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe introduced the bills, which would prevent shackling and stop children being strip-searched, into the Senate.

“In 2026 people can be shackled while giving birth, and children canalso have their clothes removed by adults to examine their bodies legally,” Thorpe told the Senate.

“The people sitting in this room have the power to end these barbaric, inhumane traumatic and totally unnecessary practices.”

The government said “the responsibility of the criminal justice system predominantly sits with state and territory governments”, while the Coalition said it “understands the intent” of the bill but also would not support its passage.