Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland

An Indigenous woman in prison was shackled to a hospital bed in Queensland while she was in labour last weekend. She gave birth to a premature baby by caesarean section. The advocacy group Sisters Inside said she was shackled on and off during her time in hospital. Sisters Inside chief executive Debbie Kilroy said hospital staff called the group after trying to get the shackles removed. She said some staff were crying. Queensland Corrective Services said the case will be reviewed and that restraints are only a last resort.

The case came days after Labor and the Coalition blocked a bill from independent senator Lidia Thorpe to ban shackling during childbirth. Thorpe also wants to stop the strip-searching of children. The government says criminal justice is a state matter. Australia signed the UN Bangkok Rules, which say restraints must never be used on women during labour, birth or just after. One Liberal senator, Paul Scarr, broke ranks to say he was deeply concerned.

Childbirth is painful and risky. Being chained during labour can harm the mother's health and stops her holding her baby.