Laws for the protection of life need to be passed because every single life is important, Perth Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey said recently.
Addressing the estimated 1800 people gathered on the forecourt steps of Western Australia’s Parliament House on Wednesday 6 May for the annual Perth Rally for Life, Archbishop Hickey prayed that “the goodness, expectations and hopes in our hearts will be realised.”
“May the Holy Spirit fill us so we may have the strength, courage, love, perseverance and ability to bring about marvellous change,” he added.
Hosted by the Coalition for Life, the 2026 Rally for Life centred on the theme Equal Care and Protection, calling for greater legal and social recognition of the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.
The event drew people of all ages, including families, young adults, community leaders and representatives from a range of pro-life organisations. The program included a minute of silence in remembrance of unborn children whose lives had been lost, followed by the singing of Amazing Grace.
In her keynote address, Hon. Maryka Groenewald MLC reflected on the significance of the event – one of the largest she said she had attended – and encouraged all present to continue bearing public witness to the value of every human life.
The gathering, she said, demonstrated “with gentleness, kindness and dignity” the conviction that every human being deserves equal care and protection.
Alongside the keynote address, personal testimonies formed one of the most powerful elements of the rally.
One speaker shared her experience of facing a difficult pregnancy before receiving support that enabled her to continue. As a result of that experience, she now supports other women experiencing unexpected or challenging pregnancies, offering practical assistance and encouragement as they embrace motherhood.
Ms Groenewald described this account as an example of compassion in action and of the importance of supporting both mother and child.
Amanda, accompanied by her husband Nate and their son Ezra, recounted learning during pregnancy that Ezra had Down syndrome. She described initially receiving the diagnosis with fear after medical professionals focused largely on potential difficulties. Looking back, however, she said she would now receive the same news with tears of joy, describing Ezra as “an immense blessing” to their family.
Amanda explained that while raising a child with Down syndrome brings challenges, it has also brought profound love, joy and a renewed appreciation of the value of every human life.
Her family’s story resonated strongly with those gathered and reinforced one of the rally’s central messages: that every person possesses inherent dignity regardless of disability or circumstance.
Throughout the evening, speakers consistently emphasised that protecting life also means supporting women, families and children with practical care, compassionate accompaniment and community solidarity.
Rather than focusing solely on legislative change, the presentations highlighted the importance of creating a culture in which mothers facing difficult pregnancies are never left to face those challenges alone.
Leading the closing prayer, Fr Tim Deeter said, “we have to be patient…it is only through love that we will win this cause, not by being judgemental, critical or condemning.”
As participants dispersed from Parliament House following prayer, song and testimony, the Rally for Life 2026 once again demonstrated the enduring commitment of many Western Australians to advocating for the protection of human life while encouraging practical support for women, children and families at every stage of life.
According to FamilyVoice Australia, more than 225,000 WA lives have been lost to legalised abortion since 1998 and at least 39 WA babies have been born alive and left to die after a failed abortion procedure.
Coalition for Life is an umbrella body comprising organisations including Right to Life WA, Australian Christian Lobby, Australian Christians, FamilyVoice Australia, 40 Days for Life Perth and Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, among others.