It was an emotive and combative debate that spilled beyond parliament's upper house chamber. “I don't appreciate walking out of this place during my dinner break and being told that I hope you will not vote in favour of killing innocent children.” Claims of harassment from both sides of the debate as Liberal MP Ben Hood attempted to wind back SA's abortion laws. Under his proposed amendments people wanting to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks would be required to deliver their baby alive. “There have been death threats. There has been a litany of false claims made against me personally, against this bill and against those that would support it.” And after almost three hours of debate it was defeated by the narrowest of margins. “Silence. There being nine ayes and ten noes the bill will not be read a second time.” But for a few minutes that result was in serious jeopardy after a surprise decision by Liberal MP Jing Lee. "This isn't standard Liberal party treachery. This is an absolute disgrace." Jing Lee, who supported the changes, had agreed to pair with fellow liberal MP Michelle Lensink, who opposed the legislation. Ms Lensink is on sick leave receiving treatment for breast cancer. Under that arrangement, Jing Lee would have abstained from voting meaning the outcome wouldn't have been impacted by Ms Lensink's absence. But just before 10 last night, as the final speeches were under way, Ms Lee pulled out of the deal. "I think it's a new level of political bastardry in South Australia." That potentially would've tied the votes with the casting vote falling to Upper House speaker, Terry Stevens whose support would've carried the bill. Michelle Lensink then turned to One Nation MP Sarah Game as a second pairing option. But after initially believing another deal had been struck Ms Game decided to vote in favour of the law change. “You cannot put that on somebody else to be the deciding vote in a conscience vote and pair out with you. It's not a requirement in parliament." By this stage Michelle Lensink had booked an uber and was on her way to parliament with her eight-year-old son to vote in person. “Then I start getting more texts and phone calls from other colleagues saying no its not, no its not. In the end Dennis Hood agreed to pair with me on this occasion.” "I couldn't in good conscience go against the commitment I'd made to her, break that and have her come in here 10 o'clock at night in the condition she's in." While this attempt to change SA's abortion laws may have failed it remains a contentious issue one that will no doubt be debated in the lead up to next month's bi-election for the seat of black and during the state election campaign in 18 months’ time
