LOGAN MP Linus Power has not ruled out supporting amendments to a bill to decriminalise abortion ahead of a final vote this week.
Mr Power and Jordan MP Charis Mullen spoke on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018 in Parliament on Tuesday, October 16.
Passage of the bill would remove references to abortion from the Criminal Code and allow women to terminate a pregnancy up to 22 weeks gestation, while two doctors would have to approve of an abortion after the 22 week period.
There would also be 150 metre safe zones outside abortion clinics.
All Labor and LNP members of Parliament have been granted a conscience vote on the bill.
Mr Power grappled with the legislation but told Parliament he was intending to vote for the bill.
“When locals in Logan have asked to speak to me they have often been uncomfortable about abortion. They feel that the new bill, from what they know of it, does not give sufficient regard to the value of the foetus that is being aborted,” Mr Power said.
“Recently I sat down with two couples on a back deck in Munruben where they made a strong and impassioned case to keep the current laws. However, when I asked them whether they wished to see a system of laws that would actually imprison a woman for abortion, they were a lot less certain about the role of criminal law.
“I am concerned that the conscientious objection is prescriptive on the doctor involved to be part of the process of abortion.
“I will be considering the bill and the amendments. I intend to vote for the bill on the second reading and consider all of the amendments put forward before my final vote.”
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Jordan MP Charis Mullen signaled she would support the bill, but did not come to her position with any sense of triumph.
“Because abortion is not something to celebrate. It is sad and deeply personal. It is a decision made that may or may not leave a scar. I believe it should be rare but I believe even more strongly that it should be legal and safe,” Ms Mullen said
“I am not pro-abortion. I would struggle to find anyone in this House who is, but I do not believe that my personal view on abortion, whatever that might be, should guide me here…What guides me is the belief that an individual woman must make that choice, must make that decision for her own circumstances.”
LNP Caloundra MP Mark McArdle is expected to move amendments to lower the gestation limit from 22 weeks to 16.
The debate continues with reports a final vote could go ahead today.