Queensland voters demand Crisafulli rule out conscience vote on abortion

Queensland workers are calling on David Crisafulli to use tonight’s final leaders debate to rule out a conscience vote on abortion, with momentum building on a Queensland Unions led petition to the LNP reaching more than 10,000 signatures.

The “Stand up for Reproductive Rights” petition was established off the back of several union led
demonstrations regarding reproductive rights, with supporters calling on the LNP to come clean as a
matter of urgency on their genuine ability to stop legislation passing to recriminalize abortion.

Queensland Unions General Secretary Jacqueline King says women’s fears regarding the future of legal, safe abortion services in Queensland are especially heightened after last week’s recording of pro-life Stretton LNP candidate Freya Ostapovitch, detailing “we can’t say anything yet because we have to get elected before we do anything” in relation to “coming harder down on the abortion stuff.”

“The LNP have blown their own whistle on anti-abortion views. Whether it’s comments made by Ms Ostapovitch or a look back in the not-too-distant past to Amanda Stoker organising an anti-abortion
rally, the evidence is all there.

“Crisafulli and his want-to-be Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie cannot possibly think their four word “not in the plan” catch phrase is enough to appease women’s genuine alarm right now.

“After weeks of ducking for cover – it’s entirely fair that voters want to know a detailed undertaking of how Mr Crisafulli would manage a caucus of pro-life MPs with the power to reverse legislation and enshrine abortion as a crime in Queensland. In the interest of complete transparency before Queenslanders hit voting booths this Saturday, he has no choice but to rule out a conscience vote on abortion.

“Mr Crisafulli is brazenly calling this matter of abortion an election scare campaign. Let the record show that on this rare occasion – I agree with him. Women and girls are genuinely scared. Abortion is
a healthcare issue, a cost-of-living issue, and a basic human right – and if elected, David Crisafulli will have the power to take these basic rights away from women in our state.

“It is simply not good enough that the alternative leader vying to win enough power to make laws on Queenslander’s behalf cannot address how he will manage members of parliament who are so fundamentally opposed to abortion.

“It cannot be both. The LNP cannot expect voters to believe they are both a conservative group of anti-abortion crusaders, who are all of a sudden good on their word when it comes to protecting
women’s reproductive rights.

“Time is up David – leadership is a verb, and workers want to know how you will act?”

The petition can be viewed here.

ENDS.