Opposition Leader David Crisafulli did not rule out a review of the state’s abortion laws if the Liberal National Party won government at the 2024 Queensland election.Credit:Matt Dennien
After the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States,advocates have warned about the decisionenergising opponents in Australia. Thousands of advocates have since rallied across Brisbane and other cities this month to demand free and more accessible services for all.
In Queensland,which decriminalised the procedure via a conscience vote only in 2018,the LNP went to the 2020 state election pledging a review of the laws and pointing to changes sought through parliament for lower gestation limits and mandatory counselling.
A total of 29 of the party’s 36 state MPs who voted against the change remain in parliament. Two of the three state MPs within the party who voted for the change,amid disendorsement threats,remain. Prominent federal members have also attended recent anti-abortion rallies.
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LNP leader David Crisafulli,among those who voted against the reform,was questioned about his party’s stance this week and said he did not see the issue as one of a “party policy position” because it was a matter of life and death.
Asked if a review would still take place if his party won office in 2024,Crisafulli was careful in his response,but did not explicitly rule one out,saying it was not a party room decision but one for individuals.
“Clearly you saw where the votes fell this time and I think that will give you an indication that individuals can express their individual views,and that is the best way that that should be conducted,” he said.