LNP MPs to have conscience vote on Bill to legalise abortion

ABORTION laws look certain to pass following the LNP’s decision to grant its MPs a conscience vote on the Bill before State Parliament.

ABORTION laws look certain to pass following the LNP’s decision to grant its MPs a conscience vote on the Bill before State Parliament.

The decision followed a two-hour party room meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the party room unanimously resolved to give all members a conscience vote.

“It has been a longstanding position of the LNP party room that matters about the creation or ending of life are treated as matters of conscience,” she said.

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Ms Frecklington said she had carefully considered the Bill and would not be supporting it. “I will be outlining the reasons why in the parliamentary debate,” she said.

“Once again, I call for a respectful debate on this deeply emotional and complex issue.”

Health Minister Steven miles said it was the “right decision”.

“It is vital that the Opposition Leader guarantee that it will be a true conscience vote, without threat of retribution against members who choose to vote for the Bill,” he said.

Mr Miles said Queensland Health would give a confidential briefing for any member that wanted one.

Anti-abortion lobbyists Cherish Life Queensland executive director Teeshan Johnson said she commended the Opposition Leader for stating that she would not support the new laws. “While the LNP have allowed their members a conscience vote, we are hopeful that all LNP MPs will use their conscience vote to oppose this brutal abortion-to-birth Bill,” she said.

Children by Choice manager Daile Kelleher said the organisation was “heartened” by the news LNP Members of Parliament would have the freedom to vote with their conscience on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018.”