By James Massola
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rebuked Coalition MPs pushing for a federal debate about abortion in Australia, declaring there will be no change to access under a government he leads.
Dutton told a private party meeting in Canberra on Tuesday that the debate, which flared during Queensland’s state election last month, had cost the Liberal National Party votes in the state that is a must-win for the Coalition at the federal contest due by May.
Peter Dutton and his frontbencher Jacinta Price, who raised abortion as a federal issue.Credit: Dan Peled
One MP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dutton told the joint party room that the issue was largely not a federal one and the debate had been “done and dusted” in the past.
“We will not be changing our position. It cost us votes in Queensland, in metropolitan seats in particular; the reaction from women was visceral,” the MP recalled Dutton saying. “It’s fair to say he laid down the law, there will be no change to abortion laws, and he reminded us that we all need to be disciplined.”
Dutton did not directly mention Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who has called for abortion law change to be on the national agenda, but his party room edict can be seen as a direct rebuke. Last month, Price, who was not at the meeting on Tuesday because she was at a Senate estimates hearing, told this masthead that pregnancies ended after the first trimester were immoral, and argued that late-stage abortions were akin to infanticide.
Dutton’s private comments contrast with his statement on ABC radio last month that “I don’t think it’s a debate that is shifting votes one way or the other”.
Nationals MP and former party leader Barnaby Joyce lauded Price’s courage in making her remarks, but frontbenchers Jane Hume and Sussan Ley openly condemned her stance.
During the Queensland election campaign, Katter’s Australian Party leader, Robbie Katter, said he would force a vote on winding back abortion laws. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli then endured days of questions about the Liberal National Party’s stance on the issue.
The Coalition party room has rarely leaked since the last federal election. This leak underscores the deep disquiet among many Coalition MPs about any changes to abortion law and the fear that it will become a federal campaign issue.
In Australia, state and territory governments regulate abortion laws, but the Commonwealth regulates medication such as the abortion drug, RU-486, and has a role in funding the procedure under Medicare.
The MP added that Price’s comments had also been raised in a meeting of the Nationals’ party room, with party leader David Littleproud making similar remarks to those of Dutton.
Price and Joyce have been contacted for comment as well as Liberal Senator Alex Antic, who has spoken out about late-term abortion in the past.
Senator Matt Canavan, who cautioned against debating abortion during an election campaign, declined to comment.
In most Australian states and territories, abortion is accessible until at least 20 weeks into a pregnancy.
After that, pregnant women generally require approval from at least two doctors, but doctors say these make up just 1 per cent of terminations in Australia.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.