Consider adoption over abortion, David Littleproud says

The new Nationals leader says while he doesn’t want to see Australia import “unhealthy” US talking points, he wants people to consider adoption.

The US Supreme Court decision to overturn a landmark abortion ruling is a reminder Australians must remain vigilant, the federal Minister for Women says.

Katy Gallagher said the ruling to overturn the Roe v Wade decision – which gave women the federal right to access abortion services – was devastating and served as a warning.

“Hard-fought-for wins before our parliaments can be taken away easily,” she told ABC RN on Monday.

“I think vigilance is the message to make sure that women in Australia have access to safe and legal abortion and that matter is resolved between her and her medical practitioner.”

Katy Gallagher says the decision is a reminder. Picture: Tim Hunter.

But the new Nationals leader said he would like more consideration given to adoption over abortion.

David Littleproud, whose older brother is adopted, revealed on Monday that he was “leaning more on the pro-life” side but had caveats.

“There are circumstances where we need to think about the mother’s wellbeing as well as the circumstances in which that pregnancy, particularly in abhorrent cases like rape and incest, that we need to just use a little bit of common sense,” he told Sky News.

“You can’t get too pure in this.

“But I just encourage as many people as possible to take the adoption route.”

David Littleproud said he was leaning towards the pro-life movement. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tracey Nearmy

Anthony Albanese said the US decision was a setback for women and their right to control their own bodies.

“People are entitled to their own views, but not to impose their views on women for whom this is a deeply personal decision,” the Prime Minister told ABC’s AM.

“This decision has caused enormous distress.

“It is a good thing that in Australia, this is not a matter for partisan political debate.”

Every state and territory in Australia has legislation to provide women with access to safe and legal termination of pregnancy and abortion services.

But more needs to be done to ensure access is equal across the country, Senator Gallagher acknowledged.

“It’s costly and it’s an added burden. It’s a challenge across the board to make sure people living in rural and remote Australia get access to the healthcare services they need,” she told Sky News.

The decision overturned the federal right to abortion access. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

The Rural Doctors Association said while telehealth services had helped, more needed to be done to bridge the gap for those requiring access to surgical procedures.

“I do think it is about encouraging more GPs to take up (and) complete the training and provide the service and maybe looking at incentives for rural doctors in particular to provide access to medical abortion,” chief executive Peta Rutherford said.

But the Australian Christian Lobby has celebrated the upheaval. National director Wendy Francis said she hoped the Supreme Court decision would impact Australian politicians.

“There is a pro-life movement rising up around the world and I think this is just indicated by what’s happened in the US,” she told Sky News.