LNP candidate for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland refuses to distance from ‘human rights abuse’ abortion post

Premier Steven Miles has announced a $20m funding boost which includes expanding training for termination of pregnancy services as an LNP candidate’s controversial abortion post comes back to bite.

Premier Steven Miles has twisted the knife as the LNP struggles with abortion by promising an expansion to termination of pregnancy services if he’s re-elected.

The government has announced a $20m funding boost for women’s health to employ 45 sonographers and doctors and expand training for termination of pregnancy services to wedge the Opposition on abortion laws.

Mr Miles accused LNP Leader David Crisafulli and conservative cross benchers of planning to make the service illegal.

“We are expanding services that we know the LNP and the Katter’s party and one Nation Party all think should be illegal,” he said.

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“They’re all services that those parties don’t believe women should have access to.

“You know, he’s (David Crisafulli) trying to assure women a thing won’t happen, when privately he knows a thing will happen.”

Premier Steven Miles on the Sunshine Coast meeting Maddy, Alex and Hadley Lauer. Picture: Adam Head

It comes after an LNP candidate who once shared a social media post claiming “abortion is the greatest human rights abuse of our time” has today refused to reveal her current views on the issue despite repeated questioning.

LNP candidate for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland, campaigning alongside Opposition Leader David Crisafulli in the beef capital, said “not part of our plan” or “ruled it out” at least 16 times when asked about her personal views on abortion.

Ms Kirkland in 2019 shared an Australian Christians Party post which described abortion as the “greatest human rights abuse of our time”.

Ms Kirkland was asked at least 13 times what her current personal views are on abortion, why she made the post at the time, and what she meant when she said “we’ve ruled it out” and “it’s not part of our plan”.

Donna Kirkland LNP candidate for Rockhampton, during a media conference at Our Space, Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Ms Kirkland did not once use the term “abortion” or “termination of pregnancy”.

“We’ve been very clear on this, we’ve ruled it out,” she said.

That was also her response when asked what she would say to a Rockhampton woman seeking an abortion.

“What I would say to her is that what we are concerned about is your safety. What we are concerned about is your housing options. What we are concerned about is you accessing health services when you need it,” she added.

Mr Crisafulli then stepped in to take more questions on the topic and again would not be drawn on whether he would deny his MPs a conscience vote.

He also refused to say if the LNP was briefing candidates and sitting members to give identical answers on the topic of abortion regardless of the question.

The post that was shared by Donna Kirkland in 2019.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman joined the Premier’s campaign at the Sunshine Coast on Friday and called on Mr Crisafulli to be honest with Queenslanders about his stance on abortion.

“David, be honest with the women of Queensland,” she said.

“He knows his MPs and his candidates hold those extreme views and will vote to wind back abortion laws.”

Maternal foetal medical services at the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Logan, Gold Coast and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals will receive a share of $10m.

Another $9m will go towards hiring 45 doctors and sonographers across the state, with the nearly $1m remainder to be put towards training clinicians to perform safe abortions.

Funding will be in addition to the government’s existing $1bn Women and Girls health strategy.

Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture: Adam Head

Abortion has burst into the election debate amid comments made by LNP MPs including Tony Perrett (Gympie) and Jon Krause (Scenic Rim) have in recent weeks voiced anti-abortion views in candidate forums.

Mr Krause, in a live-streamed candidate forum on September 15 hosted by Harvest Point Church, said he saw “some issues with the current law”.

Mr Crisafulli has been asked more than 60 questions on abortion in the last three days alone.

He has repeatedly affirmed the LNP has no plans to make changes to the law but has declined to say if he will deny his party room a conscience vote on the matter when it is raised in the next parliament by the crossbench.

Originally published as LNP candidate for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland refuses to distance from ‘human rights abuse’ abortion post