Labor and Coalition block bill that would ban incarcerated women being shackled in childbirth

Key points

• Labor and the Coalition have blocked a Senate vote on a bill that would ban shackling incarcerated women during childbirth. The government said criminal justice matters sit mainly with the states and territories.
• Independent senator Lidia Thorpe, who introduced the bill, said she would reintroduce it.
• Queensland Liberal senator Paul Scarr said he was deeply concerned and urged a national cabinet meeting on the issue.