Despite being decriminalised six years ago, the topic of abortion was a key point of debate amongst both the major parties and the minor parties during the Queensland election.
Perhaps it’s not so surprising considering the US election is just days away. And a key difference between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump? Harris cares about reproductive rights. Trump does not (note: don’t be fooled by his “I am the protector of women” act).
US politics undoubtedly influences discourse in Australia, which is why many Australian politicians (read: men) have taken the opportunity – now that people are talking about it – to put in their two cents about what a woman should do with her body.
The Katter Australian Party (KAP), led by Robbie Katter, is certainly jumping on board. During the election campaign, Katter told the ABC that his party will “quick as you like, put a repeal bill back into the Queensland parliament on those abortion laws”.
The KAP wasn’t alone.
Many LNP MPs echoed Katter’s call for changes to abortion rights. Jon Kruse, Liberal party member for Scenic Rim, said he would support to overturn or make “significant amendments” to abortion legislation. Tony Perrett has shared a similar “pro-life” stance.
The question is this: should Queenslanders, and indeed all Australians, be concerned about this movement? And the answer is: absolutely.
Katter has vowed to “test the parliament” on abortion by introducing a private member’s bill that would likely scale back abortion rights in the state. What that bill will exactly look like is unclear, but based on his track history, it’s not a good outlook for women. For example, Katter attempted to amend the bill on termination in March this year, but could not get the bill supported by a parliamentary committee.
It is a well-established practice for the LNP to hold a conscience vote for a private member’s bill, and now that the LNP are in government, that’s exactly what will happen, should Katter follow through with his promise.
Katter accused LNP MPs of “dog-whistling” over their pro-life stances and supposed solidarity with Katter’s views. But we shouldn’t be so quick to believe LNP members wouldn’t actually support a bill like this.
Take South Australia. Earlier this month, a bill to amend abortion rights in the state – one that has been described as “Trumpian”, “extreme” and “dangerous” – was just one vote away from passing in the state’s parliament.
Liberal MP Ben Hood’s private member’s bill proposed legislation that, if passed, would have forced pregnant people seeking an abortion from 28 weeks to be induced and to deliver the baby alive. They would then be given the choice to keep the baby or to put it up for adoption.
In a vote of conscience, ten members voted against the bill. Nine voted in favour.
Scaled-back abortion rights came so close to becoming a reality for women in South Australia. So who’s to say it won’t happen again in Queensland?