‘Show their true colours’: Leadership test looms for Crisafulli

LNP leader David Crisafulli could face a major leadership test on Queensland’s abortion laws within months, as pressure mounts over his refusal to elaborate on key social policy promises before the election.

Crisafulli again insisted, without detail, there would be no change to voluntary assisted dying or abortion laws if he were premier, despite two of his MPs reiterating opposition to the latter in as many months.

LNP leader David Crisafulli speaks to journalists during a campaign stop in Cairns on Tuesday.Credit: Matt Dennien

And as he issued what appeared to be a veiled warning to colleagues that the debate could turn voters away from the party’s plan to gain power for only its third term in 35 years, a key crossbencher also weighed in.

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has now called on LNP figures to “come clean” to constituents and the state on their support for unwinding Labor’s changes.

“KAP will be sure to give the LNP the opportunity to show their true colours in the next parliament with private members’ bills,” Katter told Brisbane Times.

The intervention from the leader of state parliament’s largest minor party comes as Crisafulli, for a second day, dismissed the issue as a Labor “scare campaign” that only the government was talking about.

Katter’s Australian Party members Shane Knuth, Robbie Katter and Nick Dametto, who were joined by former One Nation MP Stephen Andrew last month.Credit: Matt Dennien

He also again insisted “there will be no change”, amid repeated questioning from journalists about how he would manage the LNP practice of a conscience vote on matters of life and death for any potential bill.

Katter introduced a bill during the recent parliamentary term to amend abortion laws and protect the rights of babies “born alive” after late-term procedures – an approach pursued by conservative politicians and religious groups around Australia and the world.

A committee inquiry report, published in late September, said the proposed changes would have “serious adverse effects” on access to abortion services, and would undermine patient autonomy. It recommended the bill not pass and abortion service staffing levels be boosted.

LNP committee members did not pen a statement of reservations to sit alongside the report.

Parliament was then dissolved, causing the bill to lapse, but Katter has vowed to reintroduce it “at the earliest opportunity”.

Such a move would trigger another committee process, likely controlled by whichever major party forms government after October 26. This would report back within six months before the bill was debated and voted on.

Parliament is scheduled to sit for two more weeks this year after the election.

While One Nation no longer has an MP in state parliament, key Keppel candidate James Ashby has also criticised Crisafulli as “gutless” for promising not to change abortion laws.

This election is going to be really, really close, and increasingly, because of the [abortion] scare campaign, it’ll get closer by the day. And I’m asking Queenslanders to see through that.

David Crisafulli speaking to journalists on Tuesday

This week, The Australian reported comments by LNP frontbencher Tony Perrett, who told a candidate forum in Gympie this month that he voted against decriminalising abortion in 2018 and “would continue to do so”.

At a forum in his Scenic Rim electorate last month, the LNP’s Jon Krause told attendees he saw “serious issues” with the law. He said he hoped to gather “like-minded members” – and see more elected – to “repeal those laws or to make significant amendments”.

Speaking on Tuesday to journalists travelling with his campaign in Cairns – where he also promised new early intervention programs to curb youth crime – Crisafulli said his promise that “there will be no change … is as definitive as I can be”.

But he declined to answer when asked if he would stake his leadership on ensuring such change would not occur, as he has done with crime victim numbers.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman doubled down on her party’s attacks on Tuesday, while also announcing a doubling in size of Redland Hospital in that marginal Labor seat.

“We’ve seen his MPs saying they are determined to wind [legal abortion access] back … and yet David Crisafulli says this is all a Labor scare campaign,” she said.

“Well, I am scared. I’m scared of what is coming for Queensland women and girls if they are elected.”

Greens essential services spokesperson Amy MacMahon said both Crisafulli and Premier Steven Miles needed to commit to boosting abortion funding, amid longstanding criticism of a “postcode lottery”.

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