No clues on abortion bill
LNP MPs won’t pre-empt vote
NO GOLD Coast LNP MP, including the Opposition’s spokeswoman on women and health, will reveal their stance on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill that will be voted on in Parliament next week.
It was decided in an LNP party room meeting on Tuesday that members would make a conscience vote on the legislation, which would decriminalise abortion in Queensland.
ALP member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon is the only local MP to confirm she would vote for the bill.
The Queensland Criminal Code currently makes it a crime to terminate a woman’s pregnancy except in limited circumstances.
Under the proposed legislation a medical practitioner may perform a lawful termination on request until 22 weeks.
After 22 weeks, a lawful termination can be performed if at least two medical practitioners agree that the termination is appropriate.
A medical practitioner must consider all relevant medical circumstances, including the woman’s current and future physical, psychological and social circumstances, before performing a termination.
The Bulletin was informed that the Opposition’s health and women’s spokeswoman Ros Bates would be making her statements in Parliament at the time of the vote, and would prefer not to comment beforehand.
Burleigh MP Micheal Hart said he would like to see abortion decriminalised but was concerned by some clauses.
“I read the committee report and dissenting report … and I have been consulting with locals, my wife, daughter, sister and mother,” he said.
“I believe women should have the right to choose.”
Like other MPs, Mr Hart said his main concern was a clause that outlines that the doctor must consider future and current social circumstances when determining a termination after 22 weeks.
“To abort a healthy baby over 22 weeks for social or future social reasons is not acceptable, but there are absolutely legitimate reasons to abort a child,” he said.
Mr Hart said he would again be consulting with the important women in his life and others before making a final decision.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said he believed 22 weeks was “too high a threshold,” but didn’t believe abortion should be in the criminal code.
“I will be speaking on it in Parliament and am still receiving feedback,” he said.
Broadwater MP David Crisafulli, Coomera MP Michael Crandon, Theodore MP Mark Boothman and Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens are all still considering their vote.
Southport MP Rob Molhoek, Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey and Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek were all unavailable for comment.