South Australian Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has warned that any Liberal MP who puts late-term abortion back on the parliamentary agenda would not be welcomed in his shadow cabinet. Source: The Advertiser.
Mr Tarzia acknowledged the Liberals’ crushing loss at the Black by-election over the weekend was a “terrible” result, and said the party would now review the outcome, make adjustments and get on with its work.
He said the Liberal campaign had been hindered by the late-term abortion debate that was ignited last month by Liberal MLC and shadow cabinet member Ben Hood.
Mr Hood introduced a bill that would have required mothers seeking abortions after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive – but the proposal was defeated in the upper house.
Mr Tarzia, who held a meeting with his shadow cabinet at Parliament yesterday, labelled the abortion debate “a distraction”.
“We’ve had party reviews that have told us these conscience issues distract the party from its core business in the lead up to elections,” he said.
“Under my leadership we won’t be revisiting it.”
Liberals MPs were allowed a conscience vote on Mr Hood’s bill, and all but one in the upper house supported the legislation.
However, Mr Tarzia said similar proposals would not be tolerated in the future.
“I’ll make it really clear, if anyone makes a private member’s bill like that moving forward they certainly won’t be welcome in the shadow cabinet or in the cabinet,” he said.
FULL STORY
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia issues warning to Liberal MPs over late-term abortion debate (By Kathryn Bermingham, The Advertiser)
