Indigenous Woman Shackled During Childbirth as Australian Bill to Ban Practice Fails

An Indigenous woman was reportedly shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland during labor around October 10-11, 2026, an event brought to public attention by the advocacy group Sisters Inside on October 18, 2026[1]. This incident occurred shortly after Australia's Labor and Coalition parties blocked a bill in the Senate that sought to ban the practice of shackling incarcerated women during childbirth[1][3].

This incident has intensified concerns regarding the treatment of incarcerated pregnant individuals in Australia and highlights a legislative conflict over human rights responsibilities between federal and state governments[2]. The ongoing practice, despite advocacy efforts, raises questions about the nation's adherence to international human rights obligations[2][7].

What the records show

Debbie Kilroy, CEO of Sisters Inside, stated that the Indigenous woman was shackled at a Queensland hospital “on and off since she came into the hospital”[1]. The woman underwent a caesarean section to deliver her premature baby[1]. Hospital staff, distressed by the use of restraints, contacted Sisters Inside after their attempts to have the shackles removed were unsuccessful[1]. Sisters Inside intervened, and by October 16, 2026, the restraints were removed following contact with Queensland Corrective Services[1]. A spokesperson for Queensland Corrective Services confirmed that an internal review would be conducted, noting that restraints are intended for use only as a last resort on pregnant prisoners for public safety reasons[1].

Legislative Setback

The incident in Queensland closely followed the blocking of the Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill 2026 in the Australian Senate between October 14 and 15, 2026[1][3][4]. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung woman from Victoria, introduced the bill to ban the shackling practice, describing it as “cruel, inhumane, degrading and traumatic”[2][5][11]. A parliamentary inquiry on October 8, 2026, recommended against the bill's passage, stating that the issue fell under the jurisdiction of states and territories[2]. This position was upheld by the Labor and Coalition parties during the Senate vote[2][5]. Senator Thorpe argued that the Commonwealth possesses the authority to legislate national minimum standards and to implement human rights agreements Australia has ratified[2].

Reactions and broader concerns

The failure of the bill drew criticism from several political figures. Queensland Liberal Senator Paul Scarr expressed deep concern and pledged to discuss the matter with Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington[1][8][9][10]. Greens leader David Shoebridge and independent Senator David Pocock also condemned the decision[5][16]. Advocacy groups, including Flat Out, through its CEO Mish Pony, emphasized that shackling during childbirth violates international human rights obligations[7][6]. The ongoing debate recalls the case of Heather Calgaret, an Aboriginal woman who gave birth while shackled in 2019 and later died in custody in 2021[2][5]. Her sister, Suzzane, told a parliamentary inquiry that Heather was treated with “cruelty that no human being should ever have to endure”[5].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the exact hospital where the Indigenous woman was treated, or her identity. The specific details of the internal review by Queensland Corrective Services are also not yet known.