Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter backtracks on vow to repeal abortion laws

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has sensationally backtracked on his vow to repeal abortion laws, a pledge that sparked a political firestorm.

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has sensationally backtracked on a vow to repeal abortion laws. Picture: Nigel Hallett

• Analysis: Accident or calculated move?
• History: Qld’s abortion debate

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has backtracked on his vow to repeal abortion laws, saying only a Bill mandating care for a baby born alive would be introduced to parliament.

Addressing a firestorm prompted by his pledge to tinker with abortion laws in the next parliament, Mr Katter told Sky News his only plan was to reintroduce a Babies Born Alive Bill that failed earlier this year.

On October 8, Mr Katter said he would introduce laws to repeal or amend abortion laws, a revelation which has dominated the election campaign and placed enormous pressure on the LNP and David Crisafulli.

“They can be assured that there will be a repeal bill to vote on in the next parliament put forward by the KAP,” Mr Katter said at the time.

However while speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, Mr Katter said: “If a baby, planned abortion, comes out breathing, a heartbeat and is probably going to struggle for life – they can give it some care and dignity,” Mr Katter said.

WATCH LIVE: COURIER-MAIL/SKY NEWS PEOPLE’S FORUM

“It’s a human rights issue, it’s not an abortion issue for me.”

Mr Katter told The Courier-Mail, however, “nothing has changed “ from his October 8 comment.

He said he stood by them and was now simply pledging to focus first on reintroducing his Babies Born Alive Bill.

He is expected to gauge the outcome of that vote before deciding whether to push ahead with a Bill to repeal abortion.

Mr Katter said backbenchers of both major parties were telling regional Queenslanders different things about amending abortion laws compared to their South East Queensland colleagues.

“They’ve been found trying to ride two horses at once,” he said.

Mr Katter’s comments are unlikely to affect Labor’s campaign claiming women’s rights were under threat under the LNP.

Speaking in Mackay, Premier Steven Miles ruled out any changes to abortion laws, including support for KAP’s Babies Born Alive Bill which KAP has vowed to reintroduce after it failed earlier this year.

Premier Steven Miles visiting the Eastbrooke Health Hub in Mackay where he had his blood pressure tested. Picture: Adam Head

Mr Miles said laws simply could not be continually passed for every medical situation and it would be “offensive” to the professional judgement of clinicians to do so.

“The real question is, why is David Crisafulli hiding what he believes in when it comes to a woman’s right to choose?” He said.

“You’ve (the media) all asked David Crisafulli at least 131 times what his position is. I asked with my question at the last debate what his position is and he refused to answer it.

“That is the real problem here. That is why women are concerned.”

Mr Miles said even if it came down to a conscience vote the public knew how most Labor MPs would vote but not the LNP.

“I don’t think it’s possible for lawmakers to write laws like that (Babies Born Alive Bill) that consider every circumstance that can occur in a clinic,” he said.

“That’s why we have highly trained professional health workers whose job it is to work with mothers and determine what care is appropriate.”

Voting in Queensland state elections is mandatory, and pre-polling booths are open from October 14 till October 25 in most electorates.

You can find out more information about how to vote in our guide to early voting and find where to vote near you with our full list of polling booths.