Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli tight-lipped on abortion conscience vote

David Crisafulli has again refused to say whether Liberal National Party MPs will be given a conscience vote on legislation to repeal or restrict access to abortion in Queensland as pressure mounts from conservative crossbenchers hoping to force the issue.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli announces a Crime Prevention School for Townsville during a media conference, Townsville. Picture: Liam Kidston.

David Crisafulli has again refused to say whether Liberal National Party MPs will be given a conscience vote on legislation to repeal or restrict access to abortion in Queensland.

For a third consecutive day, Mr Crisafulli dodged detailed questions about how he could fulfil his guarantee of “no changes” to abortion laws if crossbenchers introduced legislation that some LNP MPs supported.

It has been a longstanding practice of the LNP party room to grant MPs a conscience vote – allowing them to vote freely without influence of the party – on matters of life or death.

Crossbencher Robbie Katter on Tuesday revealed his plans to immediately introduce legislation to overhaul abortion laws after the state election.

KAP Leader Robbie Katter.\. Picture: Nigel Hallett

He told The Australian he would be willing to negotiate with LNP MPs to “calibrate” legislation to something they would be willing to support, including changes to when an abortion can be requested on demand and counselling arrangements.

In a heated press conference in Townsville on Wednesday morning, Mr Crisafulli would not be drawn on whether he would deny his MPs a conscience vote on Mr Katter’s Bill.

“This is a very sensitive issue, and we’ve now got people on all sides of the debate seeking to politicise it – I’m not,” he said.

“Queenslanders know our plan. It’s not part of our plan. I’m ruling it out.”

He refused to say if he was ruling out changes to the Termination of Pregnancy Act or a conscience vote.

“It’s not part of our plan,” he repeated.

Mr Crisafulli, who has made health central to his election campaign, said “of course” abortion was a health issue and the procedure should be safe and accessible for women across the state.

He has also committed to continue funding the Miles government’s $42m termination-of-pregnancy action plan if elected.

The Termination of Pregnancy Act, passed in 2018, removed abortion from the Criminal Code and allowed the procedure on request up to 22 weeks’ gestation.

Mr Crisafulli, has repeatedly insisted there would be no changes to the laws – which he voted against – if the LNP won government.

But abortion became a key election issue this week after video emerged long serving LNP backbencher Jon Krause telling a candidate forum on September 15 that he saw “serious issues” with the 2018 laws.

which removed abortion from the Criminal Code and allowed the procedure on request up to 22 weeks’ gestation, and would “be a part of bringing about like-­minded members to try and deal with those issues”.

“We need to ensure that there are enough people in the parliament to be able to repeal those laws or to make significant amendments,” he said.

Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman hold a press conference at Kenmore Ambulance Station with Dr Eric Richman, Labor for Moggill. Picture: Adam Head

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has refused to say if he would order Labor to preference the LNP ahead of the Katter’s Australian Party after the minor party promised to introduce a bill to overhaul abortion laws.

Mr Miles repeatedly said preferencing decisions would be made “on a seat by seat basis” by the party

“But what you know is the LNP have done a deal with the Katter’s Australia Party and One Nation party,” he said, on the hustings in the LNP-held seat of Moggill to announce health workforce numbers.

“And what you’re just starting to see is what kind of madness would ensue if we had a minority LNP government propped up by their partners in the Katter Australia Party and the One Nation party. You’ll have those minority partners moving private member’s bills and the vast bulk of David Crisafulli’s MPs would vote for them against his wishes.”

Mr Miles said Labor MPs would always have a conscience vote on abortion.

“You know what our conscience says? Labor MPs support a woman’s right to choose,” Mr Miles said. “And you know what the LNP MPs’ consciences say too, they are overwhelmingly opposed to a woman’s right to choose. In fact … two or three weeks ago, we passed new laws to expand access to (medical abortion drug) MS-2 Step. All of the Labor MPs voted for it. All of the LNP MPs voted against.”