Abortion Queensland: Plea to Deb Frecklington to grant free LNP vote

OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington is expected to come under pressure to grant LNP MPs a conscience vote on controversial abortion reform after a parliamentary committee completed its investigation of proposed changes.

OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington is expected to come under pressure to grant LNP MPs a conscience vote on controversial abortion reform after a parliamentary committee completed its investigation of proposed changes.

The Parliament Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee split along party lines with Labor and The Greens member backing the changes while LNP members lodged reservations.

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The Labor dominated committee took the extraordinary step of recommending a conscience vote, a finding that earned a stinging rebuke from the LNP committee members.

The legislation may need a handful of LNP supporters to vote in favour of it with several Labor MPs understood to be likely to oppose the legislation.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the Bill would make abortion a health issue and not a crime in Queensland. “All Labor MPs will be allowed a free vote on this legislation,” he said. “It’s time for Deb Frecklington to take the advice of the committee and allow her MPs a conscience vote.’

The LNP declined to comment yesterday but said the issue would be decided at a party room meeting, expected to be held on Monday.

Children by Choice manager Daile Kelleher said the report was the culmination of consultation with Queenslanders, medical professionals, health and women’s services, and legal experts. “The current laws ignore the realities of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. People shouldn’t be criminalised for accessing the health services they require,” she said.

Anti-abortion group Cherish Life slammed the report.