Scott Morrison slams Labor for vowing to pressure NSW and SA to decriminalise abortion

Scott Morrison has lashed Labor for vowing to pressure NSW and SA to decriminalise abortion if it wins government.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison has slammed Labor for vowing to pressure NSW and South Australia to decriminalise abortion if it wins government, declaring he was “disappointed” Bill Shorten was raising the divisive issue on the eve of an election.

The Prime Minister said he would not attempt to “overstep” the commonwealth’s jurisdiction and lecture the states about their abortion laws as Labor’s plan also came under fire from Barnaby Joyce and Mark Latham.

“This is a very controversial and sensitive issue and on these matters I have never sought to divide Australians on this,” Mr Morrison said.

“I’m a bit disappointed that it has been raised on the eve of an election in a very politically charged context.

“I am certainly not going to engage in the political elements of that discussion because, frankly, I don’t think it is good for our country.”

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek today announced Labor would demand state governments ensure abortion services are available in public hospitals when the next funding deal is negotiated.

Labor will use its commonwealth funding contribution to strongarm NSW and South Australia into decriminalising abortion, while also pressuring for the service to be available in more public hospitals across the nation.

“We’ve seen very substantial changes in laws, most recently in Queensland, but it’s not just the laws that we need to look at. It’s actually the affordability and the accessibility of those services, even when they are legal,” Ms Plibersek said.

“In places like Tasmania the barriers aren’t legal barriers, they are barriers of affordability, availability, trained workforce and so on.”

Religious hospitals would not be forced to provide abortions even if they are publicly funded or are in remote areas.

Under a $9 million “women’s reproductive rights” plan outlined today, Labor will also review the Medicare rebate for the contraceptive pill and subsidising other costs around terminating a pregnancy.

Mr Joyce, the former deputy prime minister who claimed MPs pressured his partner Vikki to abort their baby, said Labor was attempting to make political mileage out of the issue.

“I named my children as soon as I know their sex so my position is pretty clear on abortion,” Mr Joyce said.

“If the new policy of a new government is to open up one of the most divisive debates in most countries and thinking that it shows off your left-wing, avant-garde approach then you are really doing something very wrong.

“Don’t turn an election into something like that. It is like saying we will have an election on religion. It is a clear example that the far-left has taken over the Labor Party.”

NSW One Nation candidate and former Labor leader Mark Latham labelled the policy “virtue signalling”.

“It is an unnecessary intervention. There is no evidence the NSW abortion laws need changing,” Mr Latham said.

“This is kind of a new form of virtue signalling where the laws are working in a decent reasonable way and … Labor have this proposal for heavy handed intervention wanting to make changes for the sake of it.

“I have spoken to thousands of people in this election campaign and nobody is calling for abortion law changes other than Greens and Labor politicians who are way out of touch.”

A spokeswoman for Health Minister Greg Hunt said Ms Plibersek was merely announced “three more reviews”.

“To be clear: access to termination services is a state and territory responsibility and the Australian government has no constitutional powers in this area. The laws relating to pregnancy termination vary by jurisdiction,” the spokeswoman said.

“Indeed Tanya Plibersek has said she won’t force states on this issue — so what is she actually proposing?

“Our government is fully committed to ensuring that all Australians are able to access timely and affordable health care by providing Medicare Benefits Schedule rebates for clinically necessary medical treatments.”