Rally in Brisbane against abortion changes

Thousands have rallied through Brisbane's CBD to protest the Queensland government's proposed move to decriminalise abortion

Thousands of people have marched through Brisbane's CBD on Saturday to protest the Queensland government's planned move to decriminalise abortion.

Around two-and-a-half thousand protesters briefly shut down George Street as they marched on state parliament.

The marches, many dressed in white, chanted "life, life,life" and "choose them both" referring to a mother and her child.

The rally was attended by a number of state and federal Liberal National MPs, including state member Christian Rowan, and federal senator Matt Canavan.

Senator Canavan said he was appearing in solidarity against the Queensland government's reforms.

"These laws would be some of the most extreme and radical in the world," he said.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the protesters had the right to march, but she wanted to ensure women had the right to choose what happens to their own bodies.

"I think it's very clearly the majority view of Queenslanders that women's access to reproductive health including termination shouldn't be treated as a criminal matter," Ms Trad said.

Queensland and NSW are the only states of Australia that still treat abortion as a crime, with the Queensland laws dating back to 1899.

Under the proposed changes, abortion would be legal up to 22 weeks, while abortions after that could be approved under certain conditions with the approval of two separate doctors.

The government has introduced the legislation to parliament where it's expected to be debated before the end of the year, with Labor to allow its MPs a conscience vote, while the LNP is yet to decide whether its MPs will get a free vote.


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Source: AAP


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