Conservative crossbench MPs will propose changes to Queensland’s abortion laws in the next term of Parliament, in a direct challenge to David Crisafulli’s authority over the LNP. Source: The Courier-Mail.
The Opposition Leader, campaigning in Cairns, doubled down on his promise there would be “no change” to the ability of women to access abortions in Queensland should the LNP take government.
But he cannot control what laws crossbenchers put forward nor how his MPs vote unless he chooses to break with convention and deny his party room a conscience vote on matters of life or death.
Mr Crisafulli yesterday refused to say if he would deny MPs a conscience vote or how he could guarantee there would be no changes to termination of pregnancy laws despite being asked no less than 15 questions on abortion or his stance on the LNP’s voting convention on matters of life or death.
Katter’s Australian Party and One Nation have vowed to introduce laws to repeal or amend abortion laws, with the KAP going as far as to call out LNP MPs to throw their support behind changes to termination of pregnancy laws before the election.
Confirmation the KAP and One Nation will push for changes will add to growing pressure on Mr Crisafulli to outline how he plans to live up to his promise not to change abortion laws.
All but two of the LNP’s current 35-member party room voted against decriminalising abortion in 2018.
A number of LNP candidates, including those in seats expected to fall from the hands of Labor, have also previously expressed strong views against abortion or Queensland’s existing laws.
One Nation’s Keppel candidate James Ashby, who pollsters believe is on track to unseat Labor’s Brittany Lauga, said he would also seek to amend abortion legislation and work with the crossbench to do so.
FULL STORY
David Crisafulli avoids abortion, VAD questions as Robbie Katter, One Nation circle (By Madura McCormack and Hayden Johnson, The Courier-Mail)
RELATED COVERAGE
