A push to prohibit nurses and midwives from prescribing abortion medication in Queensland has provoked widespread anger. Katter Party MP Robbie Katter is set to move a disallowance motion on Tuesday to overturn regulations that expanded access to the abortion drug MS-2 Step, effectively challenging Premier David Crisafulli’s restriction on debate. The regulation currently permits trained nurses and midwives to prescribe and supply MS-2 Step for early-stage medical abortions within their professional scope.
Parliamentary Scrutiny and Political Fallout
Katter contends that the reform has significantly altered abortion access without adequate parliamentary scrutiny. The motion is expected to trigger the first debate on abortion access since the October 2024 election, a discussion that cannot be blocked under current standing orders. Crisafulli had earlier surprised Labor by introducing measures to stifle debate on abortion, following what he termed a 'scare campaign' over claims that the LNP would roll back abortion laws if elected.
The LNP will hold their regular party room meeting on Monday afternoon, where Crisafulli is expected to direct MPs not to support Katter's proposal. Despite this, first-term Mackay MP Nigel Dalton is widely anticipated to cross the floor and back the motion, having previously sided with the Katter Party in a vote to lift the gag order on abortion—a move the LNP opposed.
Internal Divisions and Public Opposition
While the bill is expected to fail, the LNP fears it could deepen internal divisions. Several MPs, including Assistant Minister for Finance and former senator Amanda Stoker, have previously been outspoken opponents of abortion. Daily Mail understands that, aside from Dalton, no other LNP MP is expected to support the motion.
A protest by abortion advocates is planned for 1pm on Tuesday outside Queensland Parliament, led by Opposition MPs and the University of Queensland Student Union, which is aligned with Labor. Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman has condemned the proposal, stating that those who support it 'don't respect women's right to choose'.
Australians have voiced their opposition, with an online petition gathering almost 7,000 signatures. One comment read: 'Even THINKING about removing BASIC HEALTHCARE from HALF the population of QLD is absolutely abhorrent.' Another added: 'People need to stop telling women what they can and can not do with their bodies!! It's getting ridiculous.'
Context and Consequences
Queensland decriminalised abortion in 2018, a reform that Crisafulli opposed at the time. He has since described himself as pro-choice, though the issue exposed deep divisions within the LNP during the last election amid questions over conscience votes. Opposition Leader Steven Miles said that the changes 'shouldn't be up for debate', warning that 'reproductive rights are at risk'.
'Katter's proposal would strip nurses and midwives of their authority to prescribe or supply MS-2 Step, effectively returning control of early medical abortion access to doctors,' he said. Medical abortion involves taking a series of tablets over two days to safely end a pregnancy in its early stages. Under current rules, patients can access treatment via telehealth without needing to see a clinician in person, with prescriptions issued remotely and filled at pharmacies or Queensland Health facilities.
