Tom Smith calls candidates to address views on criminalising abortion in Queensland

The Bundaberg election debate took a dramatic turn when Labor’s Tom Smith called on all candidates to declare their positions on pregnancy termination laws, challenging LNP’s Bree Watson to address the issue in front of a local audience.

The candidates line up for the debate in Bundaberg, Queensland’s most marginal seat.

Labor has challenged candidates to declare their stance on abortion rights for women at an election forum in Queensland’s most marginal seat.

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith, who won the seat by just nine votes in 2020, threw down the gauntlet, raising concerns about the LNP candidate Bree Watson’s stance on criminalising pregnancy termination.

He called on every candidate to clarify their position on the matter.

Ms Watson did not respond publicly but has been contacted for comment.

LNP leader David Crisafulli has vowed there will be no changes to Queensland’s abortion laws if he is elected.

But he cannot control what laws crossbenchers put forward nor how his MPs vote unless he chooses to break with convention and deny his party room a conscience vote on matters of life or death.

The Bundaberg debate on Tuesday night was hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce at CQ University.

Bundaberg LNP candidate Bree Watson was asked about her stance on women’s health rights.

Five candidates for the Bundaberg seat participated: Independent Geoff Warham, Mr Smith (Labor), Ms Watson (LNP), independent Alan Corbett, and One Nation’s Alberto Carvalho.

The Greens’ Nat Baker and Legalise Cannabis candidate Ian Zunker were absent.

The event was well-received, with little heckling. Only one audience member tried to address the panel directly but was shut down, though candidates offered to speak with him afterwards.

Geoff Warham, the first to speak, focused on cancer concerns, going over time before being stopped.

Mr Smith emphasised the importance of the new Bundaberg hospital and supporting small and medium businesses, highlighting the job creation expected from large infrastructure projects.

Tom Smith announced six-story-parking at the new hospital.

Bree Watson shared her connection to Bundaberg, stressing her local roots and commitment to the community.

She spoke of her confidence in the LNP’s plans and her personal experiences with the Paradise Dam and floods, emphasising that she doesn’t take anything for granted.

Alan Corbett described himself as an ‘underdog’, running a self-funded campaign.

He proposed forming a non-political representative body of knowledgeable locals, with water security, mental health, and protection from inappropriate resource development as key issues.

If elected, he would push for legislation to protect Queensland’s agricultural land.

Alan Corbett is a self proclaimed ‘underdog’ in this years election.

Alberto Carvalho, noting his status as an immigrant and non-local, aimed to work toward equality in the area.

He criticised the major parties for giving private Indigenous groups ‘our’ land, with the bell rung on him twice for exceeding time limits.

On cost-of-living and energy issues, Mr Smith highlighted Labor’s energy price guarantee, noting that a new public energy retailer would introduce competition.

Ms Watson criticised Labor’s failure to maintain energy assets, referencing the Callide Power Plant explosion. She committed to proper maintenance of power plants and support for solar power uptake.

When asked about university accommodation, Mr Warham became emotional discussing his daughter’s inability to afford Brisbane university costs.

He suggested converting part of the new Bundaberg hospital for student housing.

Mr Smith mentioned $32 million initially set aside for Quay Street redevelopment and suggested exploring whether those funds could be used for student accommodation.

On healthcare, Mr Smith cited bed blockages as the biggest issue and expressed disappointment with the aged care minister’s absence in Bundaberg.

He confirmed the new hospital would include a six-story car park.

On agriculture, Mr Corbett opposed the Fox Resources coal mine proposal, citing research suggesting more jobs would be lost in agriculture than gained in mining.

Ms Watson closed by asking the audience, “Are we in a better or worse position than we were 10 years ago?”