Premier faces call to act on abortion

LABOR senator Claire Moore has urged Anna Bligh to swing behind a renewed push to decriminalise abortion in Queensland, saying the Premier could "not hide" from the use of the existing law to prosecute a young couple in Cairns.

LABOR senator Claire Moore has urged Anna Bligh to swing behind a renewed push to decriminalise abortion in Queensland, saying the Premier could "not hide" from the use of the existing law to prosecute a young couple in Cairns.

Senator Moore spoke out as Victorian MP Candy Broad, who put forward private member's legislation that last year led to legalisation of all but late-term terminations in the state, said it was unacceptable for abortion to be treated as a criminal offence.

Their entry to the widening debate in Queensland followed the revelation by The Australian that draft legislation had existed since 2003 to repeal sections of the state criminal code covering abortion.

"I think it has to be done," Senator Moore said yesterday.

"I don't have any special knowledge about what happens in the Queensland parliament, but I don't think they can hide from this case in Cairns. It has brought the problems with the criminal law into clear focus."

Senator Moore said she had read the draft private member's legislation prepared six years ago by former state Labor MP Bonny Barry, but blocked by then premier Peter Beattie and Ms Bligh after he handed over to her.

Ms Barry's bill would have repealed sections of the criminal code used by police to charge 19-year-old Tegan Simone Leach and her boyfriend, Sergie Brennan, 21, over an abortion allegedly self-administered by the young woman with contraband abortion drugs.

"I have great respect for Bonny and her ability as a politician, and I don't think she would put forward something that is not sound from a drafting point of view," Senator Moore said.

A sponsor of the federal legislation to allow abortion pill RU486 into the country, Queensland-based Senator Moore is also national co-convenor of the Labor women's network Emily's List, which has signed on to the campaign for abortion law reform in the state. Ms Bligh herself is a prominent member of the group.

Ms Broad said she backed Ms Bligh's position that abortion was a private matter between a woman, her partner and her doctor.

"If you take that view, I think you then have to also take the view it is simply unacceptable for abortion to be treated as a criminal offence," the Victorian MP said.

While Ms Bligh has said she personally supports abortion law reform, the government would not pursue the issue because she did not believe legislation would get through parliament. Private member's legislation could be hijacked, resulting in the existing common law right to elective abortion being curtailed, she has warned.

Senator Moore disputed Ms Bligh's assessment.

"There is always the argument if you put something up that is defeated, you make it harder for women," Senator Moore said. "In this case, I don't see ... how things can get much worse for those two young people who are going to court."