Melbourne’s March for the Babies Showcases Pro-Life Resurgence
The 2025 Annual March for the Babies in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday 11 October, showcased a resurgence of the pro-life movement, with a 3,000-strong crowd.
The march is held on the second Saturday of October near or on the anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 in Victoria which legalised abortion in the state up until birth to demand its repeal.
Its legacy is not just the babies killed in Victoria over the past 16 years, but that every state and territory in Australia has passed legislation legalising abortion up until birth, modelled on Victoria’s laws. 90,000 babies are killed through abortion in Australia each year.
The march is led by the President of the March for the Babies former Victorian MLC Bernie Finn. Bernie was the lead Victorian Senate candidate for the Family First Party in this year’s federal election. He has announced he will run again for the Victorian Legislative Council at the next state election in November 2026.
The march began at Treasury Gardens and travelled up Flinders Street, then turned up Swanston Street and then swung into Bourke Street. Victoria Police diverted the march from going past Parliament House in Spring Street, where earlier in the day the pro-abortion counter march had taken place.
The crowd then gathered outside Premier Jacinta Allan’s office in Treasury Place, where Bernie Finn highlighted that it’s because of her Labor Government that Victoria continues to allow abortion up until birth. In past years, this is where pro-abortion activists have attempted a disruptive stunt. But the presence of the Australian Peacemakers led by Nick Patterson, was a successful deterrent. There were a few pro-abortion hecklers along the march route who then scampered away.
The march concluded at a sound stage back at Treasury Gardens. Father Mahir Murad provided a blessing for the march. There was also a minute’s applause for Charlie Kirk to honour his life, including his pro-life activism.
Attendees heard from speakers who had their own experiences with abortion. Anouska Firth spoke of her regret of having two abortions, Fijian-born Kara Nicolson was conceived in rape but was thankful her mother gave her life, Dr Mark Hobart spoke about how it is unlawful in Victoria for doctors to conscientiously object to abortion, then Naomi Bunker a registered nurse and a member of Pro-Life Professionals Australia, spoke about how abortion is not healthcare.
Attendees were also treated to the voice of Cindy Pritchard who sang the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, In My Daughter’s Eyes a song by country music singer Martina McBride, and closed the rally singing Amazing Grace.
Bernie Finn reminded marchers that next year is a state election year and elections have consequences. There is currently a proposal in Victoria’s Legislative Council by Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell and Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions. A similar proposal was made by the NSW Greens in that state, but it was defeated in the parliament. However ACT Government compulsorily acquired the Catholic Calvary Hospital in Canberra so abortions could be performed there.
Though in South Australia thanks to a big effort from pro-life activist Dr Joanna Howe new bill is before the South Australian Upper House tabled by Sarah Game to allow babies who are viable to be born alive. An earlier bill by Liberal MLC Ben Hood was only defeated by one vote.
The massive turnout in Melbourne is proof that the pro-life movement in the state is growing. But the task is now changing the minds of the electorate at large about the reality of what abortion does.
You can view down below my interviews with Bernie Finn, Jane Foreman Chair of the Family First Party Victoria and pro-life activist Dianne Colbert.
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