South Australia's Attorney General, Kyam Maher, has referred anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe's fundraiser to an investigation after she launched a "game" to raise funds during a heated debate over late-pregnancy abortion. The game, which was described as a bingo card-style fundraiser, allowed people to "buy" words and phrases that Howe claimed exposed the "cliched, predictable and evil language used by pro-abortion politicians".
The game's launch coincided with the SA legislative council's preparation for a debate on a bill to roll back access to abortion later in pregnancy. Despite the bill being defeated by 11 votes to eight, several MLCs became visibly distressed and tearful during the debate.
Howe has been at the center of controversy surrounding her activism on abortion law, including labeling female opponents as members of the "Baby Killers Club" and using distorted images to describe them. She has also been banned from state parliament after alleged "threatening and intimidating tactics" over a previous later abortion bill that she was involved in creating.
The SA Attorney General's decision to refer Howe's fundraiser to an investigation comes after concerns were raised about the game's trivialization of debate and its debasement of parliament. The Greens MLC Robert Simms described the game as "trivializing debate and debasing the parliament", while the independent MLC Tammy Franks was horrified that Howe was charging people to play a game centered on abortion.
The fundraiser has also raised concerns about Howe's use of social media advertising spenders, splashing thousands of dollars on Meta to spread her messages. The SA Attorney General has taken action against Howe's activities, referring the game to the "appropriate authorities".
The game's launch coincided with the SA legislative council's preparation for a debate on a bill to roll back access to abortion later in pregnancy. Despite the bill being defeated by 11 votes to eight, several MLCs became visibly distressed and tearful during the debate.
Howe has been at the center of controversy surrounding her activism on abortion law, including labeling female opponents as members of the "Baby Killers Club" and using distorted images to describe them. She has also been banned from state parliament after alleged "threatening and intimidating tactics" over a previous later abortion bill that she was involved in creating.
The SA Attorney General's decision to refer Howe's fundraiser to an investigation comes after concerns were raised about the game's trivialization of debate and its debasement of parliament. The Greens MLC Robert Simms described the game as "trivializing debate and debasing the parliament", while the independent MLC Tammy Franks was horrified that Howe was charging people to play a game centered on abortion.
The fundraiser has also raised concerns about Howe's use of social media advertising spenders, splashing thousands of dollars on Meta to spread her messages. The SA Attorney General has taken action against Howe's activities, referring the game to the "appropriate authorities".
I mean, who tries to turn a heated debate into a bingo night? 
And let's be real, if it was me and my opponents were on this thing, I'd just mark off 'I'm right' and win the whole shebang 
️. But seriously, I don't think anyone should have to pay to play a game that basically says 'Hey, you're wrong and we're right, wanna prove it? 
'. And thousands of dollars on social media ads? That's just a whole lotta cash for someone who can't even get invited to parliament without being banned 
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this Joanna Howe girl is just so extra... like, what even is a bingo card fundraiser? It's not even a real debate, it's just some games and phrases to sell. And now she's in trouble for it? I mean, good on the AG for stepping in, but still... shouldn't people be able to have respectful discussions without being charged for it? 
The whole thing just feels so dodgy, like she's trying to stir up drama. And those social media ads... wow, that's some serious cash burn 
. Anyway, I'm glad the AG is taking action, maybe someone will learn from this and we'll see less of these kinds of games in the future 
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like what even is going on here? Joanna Howe literally makes a bingo card-style fundraiser and people pay to play along with her drama and it's just so messed up. I mean, isn't that just trolling and trying to stir up more controversy? And then she has the nerve to call pro-abortion politicians "evil" because of their stance on late-pregnancy abortion? that's just so... much 
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.
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. And, like, totally unprofessional of her to charge people to play her little game. I mean, come on, you can't just turn a debate into a sickening fundraiser and expect everyone to be all smiles. The SA Attorney General is finally taking action, and about time too! 
. it just seems like people are getting pretty heated and Joanna Howe is just fueling the fire with these games and ads 
. i mean, charging people to play a game that basically says "you're a baby killer"? that's just weird and exploitative 
. it's like, can't we all just agree to disagree without resorting to cheap tricks and tactics? 
. I'm all for free speech and debate, but there's a fine line between that and just plain ol' trolling people online and at public events. this lady's been banned from parliament already and now she's gonna get in trouble over some game? it's like she thinks she can just do whatever and get away with it 
.