Health Minister faces Liberal members in ‘white hot’ abortion meeting

Manly MP James Griffin held a meeting for local Liberal Party members on Thursday morning after concerns were raised over the abortion bill. Brad Hazzard attended to answer questions in what was described as a “white hot” hour-long meeting.

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Health Minister Brad Hazzard has been called to a crisis meeting on home soil as divisions among the Liberals worsen over the abortion legislation.

The Wakehurst MP co-sponsored the legislation, which has attracted controversy over a raft of issues including that it doesn’t outlaw gender-selective terminations.

Furious party members on the northern beaches yesterday met with Mr Hazzard and Manly MP James Griffin to demand answers.

One of those confronting Mr Hazzard was Northern Beaches councillor Pat Daley who said there was a anger over how the bill was rushed through the lower house without a formal inquiry.

“People want to ask questions,” he said.

Manly MP James Griffin (right) arranged the meeting at short notice. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“A lot of members are very unhappy about the whole process.”

The special meeting was arranged by the Manly State Electorate Conference after several local members “reached out” to president Paul Billingham over the abortion matter.

Mr Hazzard and Mr Griffin set an hour aside to answer questions from the party faithful at headquarters of children’s service Royal Far West in Manly.

Both Mr Griffin and Mr Hazzard voted in favour of the bill when it passed the lower house last week.

Upper House MP Natalie Ward was invited to the meeting but did not attend.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, currently in Europe on a trade mission, has been under repeated attack over the legislation with suggestions she made a deal with independent MP Alex Greenwich, the original mover of the bill, before the state election amid fears of a minority government.

Pat Daley (pointing) described the meeting as “white hot”. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Mr Greenwich and Ms Berejiklian have repeatedly denied there was a deal.

Liberal MP Gareth Ward, who is friends with Mr Greenwich and close to Ms Berejiklian, has also denied he acted as a go-between to shore up support.

The legislation is currently being examined by a parliamentary inquiry which was last night scrambling to organise a third day of hearings today.

Evidence is expected to be given today by Armenian Apostolic Church’s Bishop Nazarian, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and a representative of the National Imams Council. The Armenian Apostolic Church is attended by Ms Berejiklian.

At yesterday’s sitting of the inquiry, the Australian Medical Association NSW upped the ante on its opposition to further amendments to the bill.

MPs and supporters celebrating the passing of the bill last week. Brad Hazzard MP is pictured front row second from left. Picture: Supplied

Vice president Danielle McMullen said an amendment preventing gender-selective abortions would require doctors to be “mind readers” as they have no way of knowing whether a woman has found out the sex with another doctor before seeking an abortion.

Meanwhile, a support network for progressive female Labor candidates has refused to rule out expelling an MP who voted against the abortion legislation that passed the lower house last week.

Emily’s List Australia co-convener Tanja Kovac said “no decisions have been made at all” regarding whether Granville MP Julia Finn will removed from the organisation.

It comes as NSW Police yesterday revealed two men had been charged over alleged death threats made to Counter Terrorism Minister Anthony Roberts and Liberal MP Tanya Davies concerning their stance on abortion.

A 47-year-old Kemps Creek man is due to appear in Penrith Local Court on Monday while the other alleged offender will appear next month.