This week, the people of Queensland witnessed a disturbing and unprecedented assault on democracy. Premier David Crisafulli introduced, and successfully passed, a motion in the Queensland Parliament that effectively bans any discussion or debate on the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 for the entire term of Parliament. This motion is not only an affront to the democratic principles that underpin our parliamentary system but it is also a glaring display of cowardice from the government and the 50 MPs of the Liberal National Party (LNP) who supported it.
The motion—passed on the 10th of December 2024—orders that:
- No bill or amendment seeking to amend the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 can be introduced.
- No motion or amendment expressing views on the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 can be moved.
- The Speaker must rule out of order any bill, motion, or amendment that violates these restrictions.
This is not governance; this is silencing. The motion prevents any MP from raising concerns about abortion laws, effectively freezing any legislative progress or debate on one of the most contentious moral issues of our time.
The Dangerous Precedent
This motion sets an alarming precedent for Queensland’s democracy. If a government can gag debate on one issue today, what’s to stop them from extending this practice to other issues tomorrow? Today, it’s abortion laws; tomorrow, it could be free speech, environmental concerns, or economic policies. This is a dangerous slippery slope that erodes the very foundation of democratic governance.
Premier Crisafulli and his LNP colleagues have shown an appalling lack of backbone by refusing to engage in meaningful debate. Instead of standing by their convictions and defending their policies, they have chosen to suppress opposing views. This is not leadership; this is an abdication of responsibility.
A Failure to Protect the Vulnerable
One of the immediate victims of this gag order is Robbie Katter’s proposed Live Births Bill, which sought to address the shocking reality of babies born alive after failed abortions being left without protections. This bill, which aimed to uphold the dignity and sanctity of human life, has been blocked for four years. The Premier’s motion ensures that these vulnerable lives remain without the legislative safeguards they desperately need.
The Role of the LNP
The support of all 50 LNP members for this motion is a betrayal of their constituents and the principles of free debate. By capitulating to this gag order, these members have not only endorsed the silencing of vital discussions but have also demonstrated their own lack of moral courage. Their actions have alienated many Queenslanders who expect their representatives to be the voice of their concerns in Parliament.
The Path Forward
This gag order must be repealed immediately. The people of Queensland deserve a Parliament that is free to debate all matters of public concern, no matter how controversial. Silencing debate only deepens divisions and undermines trust in our democratic institutions.
Every Member of Parliament, regardless of party affiliation, has a duty to stand against this abuse of power. If Premier Crisafulli and his LNP supporters cannot defend their position on abortion laws in open debate, then they have no business holding office. Democracy thrives on robust discussion, not cowardly silencing.
The people of Queensland should demand accountability from their elected representatives. Democracy is not a privilege granted by the government; it is a right fought for by generations and entrusted to each of us. Let us not allow it to be trampled by the timid and the tyrannical. Concerned citizens can contact Premier David Crisafulli directly at premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au to voice their opposition to this gag order.