Queensland abortion laws moved in Federal Parliament

FEDERAL Labor MPs may avoid having to take a position on abortion, with a controversial Queensland-driven motion being deferred until next week.

A CONTROVERSIAL motion on abortion in Federal Parliament has been delayed until Monday.

It points to consensus between the Government and Opposition MPs, who likely do not want to be drawn on the contentious issue.

Queensland LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan moved the motion, that would have forced federal Labor MPs to show their hand on the polarising issue.

Some in Labor are pro-choice, while others aligned to the Catholic Church are opposed.

Senator O’Sullivan’s motion condemns the removal of abortion from the criminal code.

“The Queensland Labor Government’s proposed abortion laws will permit life termination at 22 weeks, which is common age for expecting parents to be sharing images of ultrasounds due to the human form of the baby and is a time in human development where babies have already formed lips and eyebrows and whose infused eyelids can discern the difference between light and dark,’’ the motion says.

Abortion will be removed from Queensland’s Criminal Code so women can procure a termination on request until 22 weeks gestation, under new laws to be introduced in State Parliament next month.

But they will need the ­support of their doctor, in ­consultation with another medical professional, if they are more than 22 weeks — unless it’s an emergency.

Doctors will be able to conscientiously object as long as they refer their patient to another medical professional who is not a conscientious objector.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday confirmed plans to bring draft laws to ­decriminalise abortion to State Parliament next week, with plans to have them passed in the October sittings.