Liberal MP ‘praying’ Victoria moves towards banning abortion rights
A Liberal MP has slammed his colleague Bernie Finn’s position on abortion rights, saying a man legislating control over a woman’s body “is deeply disturbing and dangerous”.
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Liberal MP James Newbury has publicly lashed out at colleague Bernie Finn, labelling his views on abortion “dangerous”.
Upper house MP Finn on Thursday came under fire for declaring he was “praying” that Victoria moves towards banning abortion rights.
Mr Finn, who has been criticised in the past for his controversial views, took to Facebook on Wednesday night to outline his opposition to abortion.
It comes as activists take to the streets in the US after a leaked draft suggested the Supreme Court is poised to overturn a half-a-century old constitutional law protecting a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy.
Weighing in to the debate, Mr Finn wrote: “So excited the US is on the verge of a major breakthrough to civilisation.”
“Praying it will come here soon,” he added.
“Killing babies is criminal.”
But Mr Newbury said:“Bernie Finn’s position, that a man should legislate control over a woman’s body, is deeply disturbing and dangerous”.
“The developments in America are causing distress to women around the world, and Finn’s cheering is sick.”
In response to a commenter, who said she was in “two minds” about the matter stating that she didn’t support abortion, but that there should be an option in “extreme cases i.e. sexual assault”, Mr Finn replied: “Babies should not be killed for the crime of his or her parent.”
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Mr Finn said: “The only surprise is you find my comments newsworthy.”
“I’ve been a pro-life activist for 45 years and I’ll be thrilled when Roe goes,” he said.
“My views on the subject are no State secret. Victoria’s abortion law allows babies to be killed up until birth.
“Even some pro-abortionists think it goes way too far.
“I will continue to do everything in my power to overturn what is an entirely evil law.
“My views on the rights of children before birth have changed over the years: they’ve strengthened.”
Matthew Guy says ‘that’s Bernie’s point of view’
Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams said there was “no place” for Mr Finn’s comments in the community.
“It’s time Matthew Guy shows some leadership and deals with Mr Finn,” Ms Williams said.
“These are deplorable comments, that show an appalling lack of respect for women and completely disregard the trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault - instead prioritising the decisions of perpetrators over the needs of women victims of crime.
“We support all women to make choices that are right for them – women have the right to access reproductive services safely, legally and with dignity.”
In Victoria, a woman can legally terminate a pregnancy up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy has failed to condemn Mr Finn’s comments, stating policy matters in the United were “not on my radar in the slightest”.
“I think you all know this is a long standing point of view (from) Bernie,” he said.
“I’m not interested in commenting on social policy in the United States.
“That’s Bernie’s point of view. I’m focused on Victoria, not on social policy in the United States.
“It’s just not on my agenda.”
Mr Guy refused to say whether he would ask Mr Finn to delete the social media post.
“What Bernie posts, I think you can all see, is up to Bernie,” he said.
“The Liberal party in Victoria is focused on matters in Victoria.”
Mr Finn is no stranger to controversy, last year comparing Premier Daniel Andrews to Adolf Hitler.
In September, he provoked outrage by referring to Victoria Police as the “modern incarnation of the Despot’s militia” which included a public backlash from colleagues.
He has also posted on Facebook pro-Trump comments that appeared to support false claims of electoral fraud at the US election.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy has previously stated that he was “sick of answering questions about Bernie Finn”.
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