Queensland election debate: On abortion, David Crisafulli backs right to choose
In the final debate of the campaign, David Crisafulli came out swinging at Premier Steven Miles and his ‘silly little wedge questions’.
Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli came out swinging at Premier Steven Miles and his “silly little wedge questions” about changes to abortion laws, declaring for the first time on Tuesday night that he believed a woman had the right to choose whether to carry a foetus to term.
In the final debate of the campaign ahead of Saturday’s election, Mr Crisafulli said abortion was a health issue, adding that all of his Liberal National Party candidates were now on a unity ticket to ensure there were no changes to abortion laws.
Mr Crisafulli, who polls predict will win Saturday’s election, ignored the Labor leader’s questions about why he voted against 2018 reforms that removed abortion from the Criminal Code and allowed the procedure on request up to 22 weeks’ gestation.
The LNP leader has faced intense questioning during the campaign over his personal beliefs on abortion, the staunch pro-life views expressed by his candidates and desires of some in his party-room to restrict access to the procedure.
Mr Crisafulli was insistent at the Sky News-Courier Mail people’s forum on Tuesday night that there would be “no changes” to the laws if the LNP won majority government but again refused to say whether his MPs would be given a conscience vote on legislation concerning life or death.
Earlier on Tuesday, crossbencher Robbie Katter told The Australian he would prioritise the introduction of a bill mandating care for a baby born alive in order to test support among other pro-life MPs, but he was still open to putting up a private members bill that tightened access to the procedure across the state.
Asked at the debate whether there would be changes to laws under an LNP government, Mr Crisafulli said: “There will be no change. The legislation is there, and women will have access to that legislation that gives women the right to choose.
“It is a health care issue. All the silly little wedge questions you’ve been asking, all the silly little TikToks … women deserve better than scare campaigns.”
In a fiery exchange, Mr Miles told a room of 100 undecided voters that abortion laws could change if the LNP won a majority and Mr Crisafulli’s MPs were given a conscience vote.
“He should tell Queenslanders what his own view is,” the Premier declared. “He voted against those laws, he has candidates and MPs telling people that is their position before the election but after the election they would attempt to change it.”
Returning fire, Mr Crisafulli said: “I’ve been very direct, so I will be again – you can see the desperation, there will be no change to abortion laws in Queensland.”
Mr Miles asked his LNP rival: “Do you believe in a woman’s right to choose?”
Mr Crisafulli replied: “It probably won’t work for his TikTok, but yes … oh that got you didn’t it”.
The LNP leader focused his attacks on the third-term Labor government’s record on crime, housing and health.
Both leaders again vowed to make 50c public transport fares permanent.
They also agreed more that housing supply was necessary, and were united on the need for anti-Semitism to be called out.
Both leaders ruled out revisiting Queensland being the only state on the eastern seaboard not to observe daylight saving from October to April.
More Coverage
Hydro hold-ups stifle green goals
Queensland is on track to miss its legislated renewable and emissions reduction targets, with critical pumped hydro projects behind schedule, yet to secure environmental approvals and facing multibillion-dollar cost blowouts.
Crisafulli pulls in front as he reveals pro-choice stance
After a nervous start to the state election debates in Queensland, David Crisafulli has hit his stride when it matters most, in the clinching phase of the campaign.