Reference is made to Dr Joanna Howe’s article on page 10 of the April 2021 edition of The Southern Cross.

The article states that Mr Malinauskas should be commended, contrasting his position unfavorably with that of Mr Marshall.

But both these leaders ultimately voted in favour of the Termination of Pregnancy Bill allowing abortion to birth. Indeed, the House of Assembly Hansard for February 18 pp 4214-4303 shows that of the 15 No votes and 29 Ayes the numbers of Liberal (past or present) members opposing the law was 11 out of 23, about 48 per cent, contrasted with Labor four out of 21, about 19 per cent. The Legislative Council Hansard for December 2 2020 pp 2370-2414 shows that of the nine No votes and 12 ayes, Liberal members opposing the law were six out of eight, 75 per cent, compared with Labor two out of eight, 25 per cent. The Greens’ two members both voted for the bill, zero per cent, and former Xenophon party one out of three, 33 per cent.

In the case of the Safe Access Bill, banning protesters within 150 metres of an abortion facility, the lower house vote for the bill was 34 to nine, with 33 per cent of Liberal members, and five per cent of Labour members opposing. Again both leaders voted for the bill. In the Upper House the vote for the bill was 14 to seven, with about 63 per cent of Liberal members, 25 per cent of Labor members, zero Greens and zero former Xenophon party opposing.

Michael Aquilina
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