Health advocates slam state’s abortion debate

Health advocates have called out the “dangerous discussion” about the potential re-criminalisation of abortion in Queensland ahead of the state election this weekend.

The topic of abortion dominated conversation after key crossbencher Robbie Katter said his party would introduce a private member’s bill to wind back abortion rights.

Labor categorically opposed the idea, while the LNP has failed to confirm if it would allow its members a conscious vote on the matter if it’s reintroduced after October 26, when voters head to the polls.

But as the discussion around women’s health lingers, leading health advocates and groups have jointly called out any possibility of dismantling the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which decriminalised abortion in Queensland six years ago.

In a joint statement, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), True Relationships and Reproductive Health Queensland, Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN), Women’s Health Services Alliance Queensland, Family Planning Alliance Australia, and Children by Choice have joined forces to declare any attempt to roll back the current protections for women not only regressive, but dangerous.

RANZCOG President Gillian Gibson said healthcare should always be protected from political interference and political agendas.

“Abortion is a critical part of reproductive healthcare, and any attempt to overturn the law would be an attack on the health and autonomy of pregnant people,” Dr Gibson said.

“We must trust our trained, specialised healthcare providers to make these decisions, not politicians.

“The medical community is clear — re-criminalising abortion would take us backwards, creating unsafe situations and putting lives at risk.”

RACGP President Nicole Higgins said there needed to be immediate action to safeguard the rights, health, and safety of Queensland’s women and pregnant people.

“Timely, safe and high-quality abortion care must be accessible for everyone who needs it across Australia, no matter where they live, or how much they earn,” Dr Higgins said.

“The RACGP supports holistic approaches to reproductive health, which includes improving access to safe medical or surgical abortion services.

“This is part of essential healthcare, and it should not be politicised. Restricting access to abortion puts the health and wellbeing of people who are pregnant at risk – it can lead to unsafe abortions which cause injuries and kill.”

Children by Choice chief executive, Jill McKay, said she condemned the harmful rhetoric surrounding abortion discussions.

“We need to stop the harmful and stigmatising conjecture being used in an attempt to diminish healthcare access to women and pregnant people,” Ms McKay said.

“Abortion care has saved lives, it has supported families, it has provided choice. Abortion care is delivered ethically by our healthcare providers, where it belongs.

“We cannot let the personal ideologies of a few take precedence over the health and wellbeing of pregnant people.

“This isn’t just harmful — it’s reckless.”

“Since abortion has been thrust into the political and media spotlight in recent weeks, women and pregnant people have been contacting Children by Choice, seeking clarity about their current rights and what the future may hold. Many are feeling confused and deeply concerned that their rights could be stripped away — now or in the future. This uncertainty is already having a direct impact on their safety and wellbeing.”

Opposition leader David Crisafulli and his LNP team continue to face backlash in the community about their stance – or rather lack thereof – on abortion laws.

Mr Crisafulli told the Queensland Media Club making changes to the law was “not in our plans”.

When the vote passed in 2018, Mr Crisafulli voted against the bill but did not speak on his decision in parliament.

Throughout the election, Mr Crisafulli has remained strong on not answering direct questions posed to him by journalists, and even Premier Steven Miles, about whether he’d consider the private member’s bill.