2 weeks Ago By Fraser Barton
Proposed changes to Queensland abortion laws have been gagged by the premier, leaving opposition and crossbench MPs gobsmacked. or signup to continue reading Premier David Crisafulli put forward a motion without notice on Tuesday at the year's final parliamentary sitting week, that will prevent members from introducing any changes to the legislation. Abortion was a major issue during the state election campaign, with Mr Crisafulli repeatedly grilled on how he would guarantee there would no changes to termination of pregnancy laws.
It became a key election issue after crossbencher Robbie Katter announced he would introduce a bill to repeal abortion laws, before walking back his proposal. Mr Crisafulli was asked more than 100 times about his views on abortion during the campaign, finally clarifying he was "pro-choice" just days before claiming victory in the October 26 poll. He had refused to say how he would rule out any abortion law changes given his Liberal National Party allows a conscience vote on matters of life and death.
However, Mr Crisafulli finally revealed his strategy on Tuesday, saying the motion would end "US style" scare campaigns. It will also disallow any motion or amendment seeking to have the house express its views on the termination of pregnancy act and enable the Speaker to shoot down any bills. "It was US style, it was grubby, and for the next four years, you'll all hang your head in shame," Mr Crisafulli said in parliament, accusing the opposition of an election scare campaign.
The motion caused uproar in the parliament, with the Labor opposition accusing the premier of "gagging" his own MPs. "What we have here today is a leader of this state so weak he cannot control his own party room, so weak he comes in here to move a motion constraining his own party room because he can't control them and cannot trust them," opposition leader Steven Miles said. "Make no mistake, this motion is a gag on that whole side of this house.
These are extraordinary scenes." Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick accused the premier of being "weak" and "frightened" of his own party, calling the motion an abuse of parliament's procedures and processes. Mr Katter was blindsided by the move.
"I'm absolutely gobsmacked," the Katter's Australian Party MP said. "I can't get my head around this - clearly it's targeted where we're going to be the only party to bring something in here like this. "We try and do it with respect, appreciating that it's a tricky subject for people, but we should have the right to bring something in here.
" The government's mandate in parliament ensured the motion passed, with the Labor opposition and Katter's Australian Party voting against. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
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