Changes to abortion law have Queenslanders’ support: survey

LAWS to decriminalise abortion in Queensland have widespread support among Queensland voters, an exclusive new poll has found.

LAWS to decriminalise abortion in Queensland have widespread support among Queensland voters, an exclusive new poll has found.

Labor is preparing to introduce new laws in State Parliament next week to remove abortion from the Criminal Code and allow women to procure one on request from their doctor up until 22 weeks gestation.

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After 22 weeks a woman will need the support of their doctor, in consultation with another medical professional, unless it is an emergency.

A poll of more than 800 voters has found support for decriminalising abortion.

Safe access zones will also be established around clinics where abortions are performed.

An exclusive YouGov Galaxy poll conducted for The Courier-Mail has found about two-thirds of Queensland voters – 63 per cent – supported the move.

That included 70 per cent of Labor voters polled and 55 per cent of LNP voters polled.

Support among men and women was even at 63 per cent, the poll of more than 800 voters, taken over two nights last week, found.

Just 27 per cent of those polled opposed the Bill, while 10 per cent were unsure.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath will introduce the Bill – recommended by the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) – next week. It will then be referred to a parliamentary committee before coming back to State Parliament for debate in October.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has already agreed to give her caucus a conscience vote on the issue, meaning Labor will likely need the backing of some crossbench MPs or LNP MPs to pass the Bill as not every Labor MP is intending to vote yes.

Elizabeth Smith at a protest about women's health and access to abortion services outside Parliament earlier this year. Picture: Mathew Farrell

The Opposition is yet to reveal whether or not LNP MPs will be given a conscience vote but leader Deb Frecklington has indicated that would usually be the case.

Many within the party room are expecting a conscience vote as well.

A decision is expected to be made once MPs have a chance to read the Bill.

The state’s three Katter MPs have already declared they will be voting against any changes.

Ms D’Ath yesterday said the Government was comfortable with the bill allowing for a woman to procure an abortion up to 22 weeks gestation as it was the recommendation of the QLRC.

“This is based on sound reasoning in relation to medical practices. I think it should be supported for that very reason.”