Senator John Madigan's bill to ban Medicare funding of gender selection abortions should be supported, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
"Sadly there have been cases in Australia of requests to abort baby girls because a couple wanted a boy," ACL Managing Director Lyle Shelton said.
"While the practice itself should be banned by State Governments who have responsibility for abortion law, the least the federal parliament can do within its powers is ensure the taxpayer does not pay for it," Mr Shelton said.
"This would send a very pro-woman message to those who do not see baby girls as equal to boys."
Dr Mark Hobart in Melbourne is currently facing sanction under Victoria's radical abortion laws because he declined to refer a couple who wanted their baby girl aborted so they could try again for a boy.
"It is disappointing to hear Senators debating Senator Madigan's bill today declare their opposition to gender selection abortion but then declare their unwillingness to act against it," Mr Shelton said.
"Regardless of Parliamentarians' views on abortion, surely the public funding of gender selection abortion is something on which everyone could unite," Mr Shelton said.