Outrage over attempt to reduce access to abortion pill in Queensland

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 04:52, 1 June 2026 | Updated: 04:52, 1 June 2026 A push to ban nurses and midwives from prescribing abortion medication in Queensland has sparked outrage.   Katter Party MP Robbie Katter will on Tuesday move a disallowance motion to overturn regulations expanding access to the abortion drug MS-2 Step, effectively challenging Premier David Crisafulli’s gag on debate.  The regulation allows trained nurses and midwives to prescribe and supply MS-2 Step for early-stage medical abortions within their scope of practice. Katter argues the reform has significantly altered abortion access without proper parliamentary scrutiny. The motion is set to trigger the first debate touching on abortion access since the October 2024 election, one that cannot be blocked under current standing orders. Crisafulli had earlier blindsided Labor by introducing measures to shut down debate on abortion, following what he labelled a 'scare campaign' over claims 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 that, first-term Mackay MP Nigel Dalton is widely expected to cross the floor and support the motion, having previously sided with the Katter Party in a vote to lift the gag order on abortion, a move the LNP opposed.  Robbie Katter (pictured) will move a motion on Tuesday to limit access to MS-2 Step medicine  While the bill is expected to fail, the LNP fears it could deepen internal divisions, with several MPs, including Assistant Minister for Finance and former senator Amanda Stoker, having 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 Labor-aligned.  Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman has slammed the proposal by the Katter Party, saying those who support it 'don't respect women's right to choose'. Aussies have voiced their opposition, with an online petition drawing in almost 7,000 signatures. 'Even THINKING about removing BASIC HEALTHCARE from HALF the population of QLD is absolutely abhorrent,' one wrote. A second added: 'People need to stop telling women what they can and can not do with their bodies!! It's getting ridiculous.'  Queensland decriminalised abortion in 2018, a reform Crisafulli opposed at the time. Aussies have voiced their opposition, with an online petition drawing in almost 7,000 signatures 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 '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. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.