A crossbencher's attempt to get the Senate to oppose Medicare funding for abortions in order to choose the sex of their baby has failed, despite the support of a handful of government MPs.
Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi's motion was voted down 36 to 10, with conservative government frontbenchers Matt Canavan, Zed Seselja and Anne Ruston voting in favour of it.
The coalition and Labor have allowed MPs a conscience vote on abortion, meaning they are free to cross the floor on reproductive issues.
Pauline Hanson and her One Nation colleagues also sided with Senator Bernardi, as did newcomer Fraser Anning, who sensationally split with the right-wing party on Monday.
Senator Bernardi also moved a motion against anti-domestic violence body White Ribbon over their support for safe and publicly available abortions, which was defeated 31 votes to 21.
