NT Parliament: Abortion laws, Speaker closes public galleries, Don Dale in spotlight
Confusion in the opposition ranks prevented MLAs from having a conscience vote over changes to Territory abortion laws, with a government minister saying she would’ve voted against them.
Northern Territory
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UPDATE 7PM WEDNESDAY: INTERNAL confusion between MLAs meant the members were denied a chance to publicly declare their stance on changes to the Territory’s abortion laws on Tuesday night.
The NT News understands that a decision to call a division in parliament was missed by MLAs, including the CLP’s spokeswoman for women Marie-Clare Boothby, who was one of CLP MLAs to publicly declare she would vote against the reforms.
The procedural blunder was assessed by one MLA as a case of “you snooze, you lose”, and as a “missed opportunity” by Robyn Lambley.
It is understood several Labor MLAs, including Disabilities Minister Kate Worden, would have voted to either abstain or reject the legislation.
After the lack of a division in parliament, Ms Fyles said no members had voiced their desire to place their votes on the record during the “third reading” of the laws.
“The CLP only have themselves to blame for failing to follow the correct process with this legislation,” she said.
Ms Fyles said “history was made” by passing the reforms, meaning women would be given safer access to abortion in the Territory.
Ms Boothby said she had voted against the legislation in her role as Shadow Women Minister, because of “many women who raised their concerns with me and needed more time and more consultation”.
“I could not support the Bill in its current form due to the chronic lack of consultation and suspicious timing of the Bill,” she said.
Ms Boothby did not address whether she missed calling a division, but said Labor would’ve “risked losing the vote” if there had been a conscience vote.
Disabilities Minister Kate Worden revealed on Wednesday that if a division had occurred, she would have voted against the legislation.
“As a conscience vote is afforded Labor Members I was intending to vote against the bill should a division have been called.”
Former CLP member and now independent MLA Kezia Purick meanwhile criticised her former party after at least one MLA – Ms Boothby - indicated she was against the changes.
“It is disappointing that the CLP appears not to support Territory women and provide safe access to key medical services in time of need,” Ms Purick said.
She accused her former party of having not progressed enough since she introduced similar abortion reforms in 2015 and was voted down.
“The then CLP, did not support the bill at that time and it appears they do not support Territory women still, with the shadow minister for women’s affairs Marie-Clare Boothby stating she would vote against the current bill.”
Independent MLA Robyn Lambley, who voted against the legislation, said she had concerns it was rushed and slammed the lack of a division in the Legislative Assembly.
“I am pro-choice. I do not want to deny a woman the right to choose what happens with her pregnancy, but I am dissatisfied with this piece of legislation,” Ms Lambley told parliament on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Ms Lambley said the lack of a division was “extraordinary” and meant members couldn’t vote their conscience.
In the opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, Gerard Maley, Bill Yan, Steve Edgington and Josh Burgoyne would have voted for the legislation. Late on Wednesday evening, Jo Hersey said she would have joined Marie-Clare Boothby in voting against the bill.
Not-for-profit abortion provider Marie Stopes managing director Jamal Hakim praised the changes as a good step toward bringing the Territory into line with laws in other states “to reduce the need for interstate travel”.
“Ideally gestational limits would be removed all together,” Mr Hakim said.
UPDATE: 2.25PM WEDNESDAY: HEALTH Minister Natasha Fyles has revealed the Coolalinga Vaccination Clinic would have its resources “reduced”.
Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley asked Ms Fyles whether the centre would close in Question Time on Wednesday.
Toward the end of a lengthy response, Ms Fyles admitted NT Health had identified the Coolalinga facility as one
She said the decision was made because of “great uptake” of the vaccine in the rural area.
UPDATE: 12.10PM WEDNESDAY: TWO Independent MLAs have launched extraordinary attacks on both major parties after a conscience vote on abortion failed to materialise on Tuesday night.
The laws passed with little fanfare after both parties seemingly failed to call for a division of the house, which would allow parliamentarians to declare their stance for or against the changes.
Former CLP figure and Goyder MLA Kezia Purick has labelled her former party’s handling of the debate as “disappointing” after its Shadow Minister for Women, Marie-Clare Boothby, indicated she was against the legislation.
“It is disappointing that the CLP appears not to support Territory women and provide safe access to key medical services in time of need,” Ms Purick told the NT News.
“It appears they do not support Territory women still, with the shadow minister for women’s affairs Marie Clare Boothby stating she would vote against the current bill.”
She also noted that Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro did not provide a speech outlining her views on the legislation.
Both Labor and the CLP had committed to providing their MLAs with a conscience vote over changes which would lengthen the amount of time women would have access to the service.
Independent MLA Robyn Lambley, who had earlier indicated she would oppose the laws, labelled the lack of a conscience vote “extraordinary”.
“It was extraordinary that this conscience vote did not include a division so members could actually vote according to their conscience,” she said.”
“It was extraordinary that government members who did not personally support this Bill chose not to contribute to the debate.”
Both the CLP and Health Minister Natasha Fyles have been contacted for comment.
UPDATE - 8.30AM WEDNESDAY: AN EMOTIONAL debate on an overhaul of the Territory’s abortion laws stretched well into Tuesday evening, with the legislation eventually passing unanimously.
MLAs debated until after 8pm on the issue before it was quickly passed.
Despite both parties signalling the legislation would be given a conscience vote, the legislation passed without a division of the vote shortly before 9pm.
The changes would allow one doctor to approve an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy. Currently, women require the consent of two doctors to terminate a pregnancy beyond 14 weeks.
The laws also provide time beyond 24 weeks for women to consider an abortion in the event that scans show complications with the foetus with clinical advice from two doctors.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles, who introduced the legislation to parliament, made an impassioned speech to parliament in closing debate on Tuesday night.
Ms Fyles said terminations between 14 and 24 weeks only accounted for about five per cent of abortions.
Speaking in support of the bill, CLP health spokesman Bill Yan opened up about he and his partner’s choice not to abort their unborn daughter 25 years ago.
Mr Yan said they only chose not to have a termination after extra tests but expressed a wish to give women and families “straightforward” legislation so they could navigate one of the toughest decisions of their lives.
“We were advised to terminate, and we didn’t,” he said. “And I’m so glad that we didn’t.
“But what we did learn from the experience, even with the initial advice, the decision was still up to my partner and I.”
Several MLAs expressed concern about allowing abortions beyond 24 weeks.
CLP Women spokeswoman Marie-Clare Boothby indicated she would not support the legislation in its current form, saying it was flawed.
Ms Boothby said introducing the laws during the biggest Covid crisis in the Territory was also suspect.
Ms Boothby’s position drew an angry rebuke from Local Government Minister Chansey Paech, who said the public and politicians had had plenty of notice about the proposed changes.
“This has been on the notice paper for 30 days,” Mr Paech said. He said the legal changes would “give women time” to make the choice without feeling rushed.
UPDATE - 7PM TUESDAY: HEALTH Minister Natasha Fyles has made a powerful speech urging hold-out MLAs to vote for changes to the Territory’s abortion laws.
It came after CLP Health spokesman Bill Yan fought back tears while describing his experience 25 years ago when he and his partner chose not to have an abortion. Mr Yan said he would support the legislative changes.
The changes would allow one doctor to approve an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy.
Currently, women require the consent of two doctors to terminate a pregnancy beyond 14 weeks.
The laws also provide time beyond 24 weeks for women to consider an abortion in the event that scans show complications with the foetus.
In closing debate over the legislation, Ms Fyles said no other laws would be given such high levels of scrutiny.
“And so it frustrates me to have those who have questioned the process - I look forward to seeing you ask for this type of detail ... on every piece of legislation that comes into this house,” she said.
“This bill has been through a rigerous process and it is the same as every other bill in this House”
Ms Fyles then hit out at those who had indicated they would not support the changes.
“You don’t want to deal with it,” she said.
“Shame on you.
“You’re not even brave enough to even have the debate, you’re not even brave enough to acknowledge your opinion.”
CLP MLA Marie-Clare Boothby indicated she would not support the legislation earlier in the evening, saying it was not the right time given the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ms Boothby also expressed concerns about the legislation.
Others also raised concerns about allowing abortions beyond 24 weeks, but Ms Fyles said these concerns would only affect roughly one per cent of abortions performed in the Northern Territory each year.
UPDATE - 5PM TUESDAY: CLP Health spokesman Bill Yan held openly wept in parliament as he told of the choice he and his partner faced 25 years ago as debate continues into changes to the Territory’s abortion laws.
Speaking up in support of the new laws, Mr Yan said he and his wife were provided the choice to terminate their pregnancy after complications with their unborn daughter.
“We were advised to terminate, and we didn’t,” he said.
“And I’m so glad that we didn’t.
“But what we did learn from the experience, even with the initial advice, the decision was still up to my partner and I.”
Mr Yan said he did not blame the doctor for his advice, saying he provided it “based on the knowledge of the test results”.
“What he did do was provide additional options for us.
“If it was the case that termination in this instance was the only option, then I would legislation process to be as simple and straightforward as possible to minimise any kind of degree of stress for women and families.”
Mr Yan indicated he would support the bill.
UPDATE - 4.45PM TUESDAY: DEBATE has begun on changes to the NT’s abortion laws to bring it closer into line with a number of other states.
The changes would allow one doctor to approve an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy.
Currently, women require the consent of two doctors to terminate a pregnancy beyond 14 weeks.
The laws also provide time beyond 24 weeks for women to consider an abortion in the event that scans show complications with the foetus.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles introduced the legislation to parliament during the October sittings.
Debate of the legislation began on Tuesday afternoon, with MLAs from both parties being given a conscience vote.
In a press conference before debate began, CLP MLA Josh Burgoyne indicated he would support the legislation overall.
However, CLP Health spokesman Bill Yan said he found the timing of the bill’s introduction “suspicious” and expressed concern about a lack of public consultation.
UPDATE - 2PM TUESDAY: THE Opposition have criticised Territory Families for not being able to prevent a 10-year-old from being put into youth detention.
The ABC revealed on Tuesday that the youth had been remanded in the facility after the NT government overhauled youth bail laws earlier this year.
The laws have led to more children entering youth detention.
Territory Families Minister Kate Worden has been contacted for comment.
In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, CLP Territory Families spokesman Josh Burgoyne said the situation showed a failure of diversion programs in preventing youths from ending up in juvenile detention.
“There are not sufficient programs in place currently to deal with the amount of young people that are going through that process (of youth diversion),” Mr Burgoyne said.
UPDATE - 12.30PM TUESDAY: THE public have been banned from sitting in the galleries in NT parliament after a warning from NT Police.
Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit made the decision to ban the public from watching in the chamber for the rest of sittings on Tuesday morning.
A spokeswoman for Ms Ah Kit said the decision was made after she was made aware of intelligence from NT Police.
“This decision has been made following a security risk assessment and has been informed by advice from Northern Territory Police,” the spokeswoman said.
“Speaker Ah Kit has determined that public galleries will remain closed during Assembly meetings from 30 November to 2 December 2021.”
Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles also confirmed security concerns prompted the shock closure.
“The advice I’ve received is that Speaker Ah Kit did receive some security concerns and made the decision to close the public galleries,” Ms Fyles said.
She said parliament was still able to be livestreamed on the NT Parliament website.
UPDATE - 11.45AM TUESDAY: SPEAKER Ngaree Ah Kit has banned members of the public from sitting in the public galleries at parliament house.
No reason has been provided for the decision, however it comes after weeks of escalating tensions from anti-vaccination mandate protesters.
During the last sitting week in October, a group of protesters stood out the front of parliament to protest the mandate.
The NT News has contacted the Speaker and Chief Minister Michael Gunner for comment.
PARLIAMENT – 11AM TUESDAY: CHANGES to the Territory’s abortion laws which bring them into line with a number of other states are expected to be voted on in parliament today.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles introduced the legislation during the last sittings of parliament in October.
The changes would allow one doctor to approve an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy.
Currently, women require the consent of two doctors to terminate a pregnancy beyond 14 weeks.
The laws also provide time beyond 24 weeks for women to consider an abortion in the event that scans show complications with the foetus.
Ms Fyles at the time said the changes would bring the Territory into line with other jurisdictions.
“For women, when they have their 20 week scan it can be a time where absolute joy turns to tragedy and they find out that there is complications with their pregnancy,” she told parliament in October.
Both the CLP and Labor have indicated they will allow their MLAs to vote on their conscience.
More to come.
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