The Abortion Law Reform Amendment Bill 2025, introduced by the Greens, has now officially passed the NSW Parliament. A significantly amended version of the bill passed its final vote (third reading) in the Legislative Assembly a couple of weeks ago, by 65 votes to 20. Thankfully, several of the worst provisions were removed before it reached the lower house. These included: A proposal weakening conscience protections for healthcare professionals requiring them to refer women directly for an abortion. No clinician should be compelled to act against their deeply held moral or ethical beliefs. A clause that would have granted the Health Minister powers to compel select hospitals, including faith-based institutions, to provide abortion services. A provision to remove data reporting on abortion, which would have reduced transparency, accountability, and hindered informed policymaking. These removals represent significant wins. We thank the members of Parliament, Labor, Liberal, and crossbench, who worked with us and others to achieve these amendments. And we especially thank the thousands of Christians across NSW who emailed, visited their MP, and prayed.
The final bill allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe abortion medication up to 9 weeks’ gestation. Initially, the Greens sought to allow this up to 22 weeks, a dangerously late proposal. This was amended in the Legislative Council to align with the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) current 9-week standard. Dr Joe McGirr, Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, proposed sensible amendments to ensure additional training, including in counselling, for providers. Unfortunately, these were rejected. One silver lining is the inclusion of a new requirement for an annual abortion report to Parliament, including on adverse outcomes and clinical incidents associated with the procedure. This is a win for increasing transparency and accountability. The expansion of access to abortion, however small, is a tragedy. This is not just a policy issue, but a deeply moral one. The debate is often framed as life versus choice. Yet these two goods are not equal.
Choice is contingent on life. You cannot choose unless you are first given the dignity of life. Even when laws are passed and the “experts” agree, that doesn’t settle the moral question. As Christians, we hold to a higher standard than legality or public opinion. What is legal is not always moral. Our society must wrestle with this: Who do we believe is worthy of protection? Psalm 139 tells us that God knits us together in our mother’s womb, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The unborn are not potential lives. They are precious lives with potential. The belief in the sanctity of life is not just a Christian doctrine, it is the bedrock of all human rights and human dignity. And when we erode that foundation, we don’t just lose life; we lose the compassion, clarity, and moral coherence that undergirds a flourishing society.
How should we, as Christians, respond to a bill that’s still wrong, but not as bad as it could have been? One temptation is to react with anger. There is, of course, a place for righteous anger in the face of injustice. Yet Scripture warns us that not all anger is godly. When our anger festers, bitterness and resentment follow, corrupting our witness and giving the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26–27, 31–32). If fear drives our engagement, we may be tempted to compromise our character, grasping at worldly power, resorting to personal attacks, or relying on manipulative strategies. But in doing so, we risk undermining the very cause we stand for: the dignity and sanctity of every human life, including the lives of those who oppose us or our views. In our pursuit of justice, we must not lose compassion. We follow the One who wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), who offered mercy to sinners (John 8:11), and who laid down His life for His enemies (Romans 5:8).
We remain anchored in the hope of Christ and His unshakable Kingdom. Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Mark 14:7), a reminder that suffering and injustice will persist until He returns. If we try to eliminate this reality in our own strength, we risk slipping into self-righteousness and despair when our efforts inevitably fail. Politics, society, and culture will always bear the marks of human sin. This doesn’t mean all people or policies are morally equal—far from it. But it does mean we must engage without illusion. Government can do good, but it is not our saviour. As Psalm 146 reminds us: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” The same principle applies to the issue of abortion. While laws matter, what matters more is the heart. If no one feels the need to turn to abortion, then the legislation becomes redundant. Our goal must be not just to change laws, but to change hearts—so that life is protected not only by statute, but by conviction.
To those feeling overwhelmed by anger, fear, or discouragement in response to political outcomes: it may be wise to step back for a time. Rest in the peace of Christ. Spend time in prayer. Meditate on God’s promises. Re-anchor your soul in the fellowship of believers. From this place of spiritual rest, we are better equipped to re-enter the fray—not as anxious activists, but as faithful ambassadors of King Jesus. We grieve what has passed. We celebrate what was preserved. And we recommit to faithfully working for a society that upholds the dignity of every human life. We do this not because we trust in parliaments, but because we trust in Jesus. Not because we are confident in our influence, but because we are confident in His cross. May we shine as lights in a culture clouded by confusion—until the day when every tear is wiped away, and death shall be no more (Revelation 21:4).
Source: Australian Christian Lobby