Burdekin MP Dale Last, Mirani candidate Glen Kelly dodge question on abortion views

An MP who voted against decriminalising abortion and a candidate running for a seat held by the Katter’s Australian Party have refused to share their views on abortion. SEE THE VIDEO

A Queensland LNP MP who voted against decriminalising abortion in 2018 has refused to clarify whether his views have changed since then.

Burdekin MP Dale Last was asked four times whether he is still against abortion and could only give the approved LNP party response: that the party has no plans on changing abortion laws.

The Katter’s Australian Party — which currently holds four seats and is widely expected to retain most of them — has said it will introduce a private members bill to repeal or amend abortion laws in the upcoming term of parliament, and that its record on the subject is clear.

When Mr Last was asked how he would vote given the issue is expected to come up, the Burdekin MP could only say the LNP has no plans to change the existing laws in Queensland.

Glen Kelly, LNP candidate for Mirani, (l) and Dale Last (r) LNP Burdekin MP could only say the LNP has ‘no plan’ to change abortion laws when they were asked multiple times for their personal views, and how they would vote. Picture: Paul Brescia

His Labor competitor, Anne Baker, said she supported a woman’s right to choose.

“Their body, their choice,” Ms Baker said.

Mr Last’s non-answer on abortion was mirrored by Mirani candidate Glen Kelly, who is attempting to unseat KAP MP Stephen Andrew, who joined the party recently from One Nation.

The Daily Mercury asked Mr Andrew his opinion and views on abortion, given he also voted against decriminalising the practice in 2018.

KAP’s Member for Mirani Stephen Andrew (centre) with Robbie Katter MP KAP Leader and Member for Traeger (right), Shane Knuth MP KAP Member for Hill (left), Stephen Andrew MP KAP Member for Mirani and Bob Katter MP KAP Federal Member for Kennedy (back right, wearing hat). Picture: Nigel Hallett

He said he was “not 100%” up for all abortions, noting he was less comfortable with them after the 37 week mark, and mentioned his Christian beliefs.

“You want a really genuine reason for a late-term abortion”, he said.

Robbie Katter, the leader of the party, has accused the LNP of attempting to steal voters from the KAP by not being clear on their stance.

He was quoted in the Townsville Bulletin as saying, “Crisafulli comes up to Townsville and says oh yeah bloody Labor they’re pushing all this abortion stuff, and he will say all the right words that people want to hear and trick them into thinking he would be against abortion, but then he goes to the party room and says ‘no I’m with you guys’.

“Why not talk about it, just because it’s uncomfortable?”

In Mackay, David Crisafulli would not directly answer whether he would allow LNP MPs to vote freely on the issue of abortion, despite it affecting 50 per cent of the population.

Nigel Dalton, the LNP candidate for Mackay, and Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm were both quizzed on their views on abortion and neither would answer other than to give the party-approved response — that it is not part of their plan.