Queensland Government Proposes Ban on Discussion of Abortion
The decision comes in response to the significant attention abortion received during the LNP’s campaign in October.
In the early stages of his term as Queensland’s new Premier, David Crisafulli is facing calls for resignation.
The call for his resignation comes from prominent Australian anti-abortion activist Dr. Joanna Howe. She expressed concern over an LNP bill that prohibits discussions about potential changes to the current abortion laws in the state.
“David Crisafulli has recently passed a motion banning any bill related to abortion for the next four years,” Howe stated online.
“This action is not only anti-democratic but may also be unconstitutional,” she added.
“Most importantly, it neglects Queensland newborns who may be left to die if they survive abortion and Queensland babies who can be terminated up until birth under the existing law.”
Howe has launched an online petition demanding Crisafulli’s resignation over this decision.
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The motion, presented without notice, prohibits any amendments to the current Termination of Pregnancy Act.
It stipulates that “regardless of any standing or sessional orders, this house orders that: no bill or amendment aimed at altering the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 is permissible to be introduced.
“No motion or amendment intended to express the views of this house on the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 is permitted to be proposed.”
The motion is likely an attempt to prevent further political ramifications from the contentious abortion issue.
The issue was initially raised by Katter’s Australian Party (KAP), which initially promised to revoke the 2018 act that decriminalized and expanded access to abortion. However, KAP later softened its stance, but the damage was already done in terms of public opinion.
Premier: Labor Spent Millions
Speaking in Parliament, Crisafulli acknowledged being repeatedly asked if repealing the state’s abortion laws was on his agenda, to which he consistently responded there would be no changes.
“Despite that, the relentless social media attacks and negative phone calls continued,” he explained.
“(Labor) invested millions in a shameful fear campaign.”
Crisafulli aimed to directly address young women impacted by Labor’s insinuations that abortion laws would be reversed.
“Labor was aware this was not being considered, yet they did it for political gain,” he noted.
“Labor did not prioritize women’s right to choose but rather focused on their desperate desire to retain power.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick and KAP MP Robbie Katter both criticized the motion.
“I am utterly stunned,” Katter expressed.
“I cannot understand this—it is evidently targeted at preventing us from bringing in any related legislation.
“We try to handle it respectfully, acknowledging its sensitivity, but we should have the ability to introduce such legislation.”
Dick deemed the bill an abuse of parliamentary processes.
Labor did not lend support to the bill.
