Gold Coast politics: Gold Coast MPs to decide whether to support controversial decriminalisation of abortion

GOLD COAST LNP MPS are set to decide their stance on the controversial termination Bill this afternoon, however residents have already made up their mind, with a new poll revealing what they think about it. SEE WHAT YOUR MP SAYS.

GOLD COAST LNP MPS are set to decide their stance on the controversial termination Bill this afternoon, however residents have already made up their mind with over 70 per cent in support of decriminalising abortion.

A ReachTel poll commissioned by the union United Voice found a majority of voters Gold Coaster’s supported the bill which will decriminalise medical terminations, and allow abortions after 22 weeks only with the support of two doctors.

The Coast’s LNP MPs will decide their stance on the issue this week Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Despite the community’s stance, a majority of Gold Coast MP’s are still yet to go on the record on which way they will vote, which will be decided at an LNP party room meeting this afternoon.

Polling of 654 voters on the Gold Coast found 68 per cent identified as pro-choice, 72 per cent supported decriminalising abortion and 12 per cent were undecided.

The polling also found 43 per cent of Gold Coasters believed abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances

A majority of LNP voters back the decriminalisation of abortions.

More than 60 per cent of LNP voters polled supported the decriminalisation of terminations.

On Friday the Parliamentary Committee looking into the bill recommended the legislation be passed.

The committee had also recommended all MPs be granted a conscience vote on the matter.

When contacted by the Gold Coast Bulletin not one LNP member was willing to confirm if they would be pushing for a conscience vote in this afternoon’s meeting.

Shadow health Minister and Member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said the party’s wait to define their stance is part of the usual process.

“This is an emotional and complicated issue,” she said.

“The LNP will consider the Termination Committee Report in Party Room on Tuesday, this is ordinary process for every bill.”

Meaghan Scanlon MP. Photo by Richard Gosling

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ALP Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon is the only member on the Gold Coast to have confirmed she would be voting in favour of the bill.

“They can’t hide from it anymore,” Ms Scanlon said.

“The Gold Coast’s Liberal MPs owe it to their constituents to make their positions clear.

“The fact that they are avoiding this issue just goes to show that the LNP take the Gold Coast completely for granted.

“I’ve been upfront with Gold Coasters about my position from the first instance – it’s time that other Gold Coast MPs owned up.

“A woman should be able to make a decision about her health without fear of criminal prosecution.”

Rose Bates

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The Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018 is not the first of its kind to have been produced on the issue in parliament.

During the last term of Government the Queensland Parliament was due to debate two abortion bills that were introduced by the Member for Cairns Rob Pyne.

The bills were then withdrawn from the Queensland Parliament and referred to the Queensland Law Reform Commission for further advice and analysis.

A report by the Law Reform commission presented in June this year made 28 recommendations and found the termination of pregnancy to be a health issue for women, not a criminal issue

WHAT YOUR MP SAID

Member for Burleigh Micheal Hart-

”I will be looking at the committee report tomorrow and giving my input to the party room this week,” he said.

Member for Surfers Paradise John Paul Langbroek -

“I’ll await the party room discussion on Tuesday.”

Member for Broadwater David Crisafulli -

“I won’t be commenting ahead of the party room meeting.”

Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor -

“We’ll consider it as a party room just like every other bill. What happens in the party room stays there and I respect that tradition so I have nothing more to add.”

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon-

“All up for discussion on Tuesday.”

Member for Theodore Mark Boothman -

Unavailable for comment.

Member for Southport Rob Molhoek -

“I want to see what the committee report has to say first.

“The challenge is the devils are always in the detail. I am waiting to hear what is decided in the party room.”

Member for Mermaid Beach Ray Stevens -

“We have a discussion on Tuesday and I will be guided by what the party room recommends.”

Member for Currumbin Jann Stuckey -

The Member for Currumbin would not detail her position on how she would like the party to vote before the meeting however said -

“My position in the past has always been clear, that there should always be a conscience vote on matters like these,” she said.