Queensland abortion bill: Rob Pyne says procedure 'should not be a crime'

Updated May 10, 2016 14:05:24

Photo: Rob Pyne said he was prepared to alter his bill after discussions with fellow MPs (ABC News: Giulio Saggin)

Map: Brisbane 4000

A private member's bill to legalise abortion in Queensland has been introduced in State Parliament by independent MP Rob Pyne.

It has been prohibited since 1899, but permissible if there is serious danger to the mother's life or her physical or mental health.

Mr Pyne told a pro-choice rally of about 200 people outside Parliament the legislation would not be the final version of what would be voted on.

In its current state, the bill does not set a time at which abortion would be legal to carry out, and Mr Pyne said he would compromise with MPs on when the cut-off should be.

"What I'm saying is a majority of MPs can surely see the current laws are not acceptable, and hopefully we can at some compromise that will be acceptable at second reading stage," the former Labor MP said.

"It's not 1899, abortion should not be a crime. The world is changing very quickly and unfortunately our politicians aren't.

"I have not made any suggestion in relation to gestation periods — whether it be 24 weeks, 20 weeks or whatever — because my main concern is that this Parliament get together and pass law reform in this area, so we need something that a majority of MPs can support."

Both Labor and the LNP will allow a conscience vote on decriminalising abortion in Queensland if it comes to a vote.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad was one of 10 Labor MPs at the rally. She said the party's MPs were divided on the issue, but would get a conscience vote.

"I am unashamedly pro-choice," she said.

"What a woman decides to do with her body, in consultation with her doctor, does not belong in the criminal code.

"I fully respect that my caucus colleagues in the Labor Party will have different views to me."

In a statement, Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the LNP's policy was that current laws should remain, but his members would get a free vote.

Mr Pyne said he had the support of fellow crossbench MP Billy Gordon, while Shane Knuth and Rob Katter were yet to make their views clear.

The bill will go to a parliamentary committee for consideration before being presented to Parliament for debate.

Queensland abortion laws 'draconian'

Queensland Council of Civil Liberties said the state's current abortion laws were "antiquated and draconian".

President Michael Cope said they want the Victorian system, which requires approval by two medical practitioners for abortions over 24 weeks.

"It's time we had this discussion and it's time we brought some certainty to women's right to choose in this state," he said.

In New South Wales, an abortion is only lawful if a woman's doctor believes on reasonable grounds it is necessary to avoid a serious danger to her life or her physical or mental health, taking into account economic, social and medical factors.

The ACT, Victoria and Tasmania have all decriminalised abortion, making it legal up to nine months' gestation.

However, late-term abortions in Tasmania, defined as past four months, and Victoria, where late-term is classed beyond six months, require approval from two medical practitioners.

Pre-teens seek abortions in private hospitals

Queensland counselling service Children by Choice said about two children under 14 were seeking advice about an abortion every month.

Last month a 12-year-old Rockhampton girl was forced to go to the Supreme Court to get permission to have one done.

Counsellor Liz Price said most of the abortions were happening in private hospitals as current laws made it too difficult to use the public system.

"We see access significantly compounded for under 14-year-olds," she said.

"There are only two private clinics in all of Queensland that have a licence that allows them to perform procedures of that nature on an under 14-year-old one in the far north of Queensland and one down here in south-east Queensland."

Emily's List supports progressive female Labor candidates trying to reach Parliament.

"We certainly have a few members of the State Government and they will be supporting the woman's right to choose," Lisa Carey from the group said.

Topics: abortion, laws, state-parliament, pregnancy-and-childbirth, activism-and-lobbying, brisbane-4000, cairns-4870

First posted May 10, 2016 06:24:11