A Queensland Government MP has taken the extraordinary step of crossing the floor of Parliament during a vote on abortion debate. Source: ABC News.
First-term member for Mackay Nigel Dalton voted for a motion moved by the Katter’s Australian Party, in defiance of his party, the Liberal National Party of Queensland).
KAP sought to overturn the ban on debate on abortion in Queensland Parliament that was put in by the LNP after the issue dogged its 2024 election campaign.
Mr Dalton did not say whether he had spoken to his party or the Premier before the vote.
“I made a deeply personal decision, and I hope people respect that deeply personal decision,” he said.
The motion failed without the support of the Government.
During the election campaign, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli repeatedly said there would be no changes to abortion laws.
He said Mr Dalton spoke to him on Monday and crossed the floor without his blessing.
“He came to see me, and he took a position, and he said it was deeply personal to him,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“And I reflected on what our commitment was to the people of Queensland and … we’ve honoured that position overwhelmingly today.”
KAP leader Robbie Katter said he had not spoken to Mr Dalton and was surprised by his decision.
“There was an extraordinary result, a very rare occurrence that I’ve seen in my 14 years of parliament, where someone crossed the floor,” he said.
“[It was] an outstanding display of bravery from an MP who followed his conscience.
“It’s fair to say there are certain members of the LNP who believed it was the right thing to do, to vote for that motion, and it didn’t happen.”
FULL STORY
Mackay MP Nigel Dalton crosses the floor to oppose LNP ban on abortion debate (By Alex Brewster, ABC News)
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