Family First National Director Lyle Shelton has welcomed Queensland MP Robbie Katter's move to force parliamentary debate on regulations relating to the abortion pill and has called on Premier David Crisafulli to remove the LNP's gag on abortion discussion.
Mr Shelton said Queenslanders deserved transparency and accountability on an issue involving the lives of unborn children and the health and safety of women.
"Whether or not Robbie Katter's disallowance motion succeeds is not the point. The point is that elected representatives should be free to debate matters of life and death in the Parliament," Mr Shelton said.
"David Crisafulli's gag order has shut down legitimate democratic discussion about abortion for the entire parliamentary term. That is not healthy for democracy and it is not healthy for public policy."
Mr Shelton said Family First had repeatedly warned about the risks associated with the abortion pill MS-2 Step and the lack of public discussion surrounding its expanding use.
In a previous media release, Family First highlighted concerns raised in research showing one in 10 women were harmed by the abortion pill.
"Women deserve to know that using chemicals to kill their unborn babies is not as simple or risk-free as activists claim," Mr Shelton said.
"Evidence from a major US study last year has documented cases of severe haemorrhaging, infection, emergency hospitalisation and, in rare cases, death following chemical abortions."
"Many women have also reported significant psychological trauma after being left to complete the abortion process at home, often without adequate medical support."
Mr Shelton said the Queensland Government's decision to allow nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives and nurses to administer abortion drugs represented a significant policy change that warranted parliamentary scrutiny.
"If the government is confident these changes are in the public interest, it should have no fear of open debate.
"The Premier promised there would be no changes to abortion laws, yet regulations affecting access to abortion drugs have been altered without proper public discussion.
"No issue is more important than the protection of human life and the wellbeing of mothers who too often are coerced into aborting their babies by men or family members," Mr Shelton said.
"Queenslanders expect their MPs to debate these matters openly, not hide behind a gag order."
"Family First commends Robbie Katter for standing up for democratic accountability and urges all members of the Queensland Parliament to support the restoration of free and open debate on abortion-related matters."
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