Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Brisbane to demonstrate for abortion rights, after the issue was hotly debated ahead of the Queensland election.
The Keep Abortion Legal demonstration took place outside the former Treasury Casino in the city’s central business district on Friday night, and was attended by up to 500 protesters.
Organizers said there was anger against the Liberal National Party for its stance on abortion.
LNP leader David Crisafulli became premier of Queensland last Saturday in the state election, the first time in nine years that Labor was defeated.
Crisafulli had insisted there would be no changes to abortion laws if he was elected prime minister before the election.
He voted against a 2018 bill that removed abortion from the Penal Code and allowed women to undergo the procedure up to 22 weeks of gestation.
Protesters in Brisbane on Friday night demanded the government keep abortion legal and make it free and accessible.
Protesters marched throughout the CBD starting at George Street before circling the city and returning to Brisbane Square.
Around 500 protesters turned out to support abortion rights in Brisbane after it became a contentious issue in the recent state election.
The event was organized by groups the National Union of Students and Children by Choice.
Speakers included Jill McCay, CEO of Children by Choice, general practitioner and University of queensland Alyssa Roser, women’s union official, among others.
“I think the feeling was really anger and indignation towards the Liberal government,” said rally chair Ella Gutteridge. he told the courier email.
“I think his election means there is not a second to lose in organizing to fight back.”
Ms Gutteridge said a “very diverse crowd” turned up at the demonstration, shedding light on other issues such as the rights of First Nations peoples.
Abortion became a key issue during the heated election between Crisafulli and former Labor prime minister Steven Miles.
Crisafulli was asked about the issue more than 130 times during the election campaign and repeatedly stated that the LNP had no intention of changing abortion laws.
The storm began after Robbie Katter, state leader of Katter’s Australian Party, said he would introduce legislation to repeal or amend abortion laws on October 8.
Katter’s announcement paralyzed the election and derailed Crisafulli’s key promise to solve youth crime in the state.
Attendees gathered in Brisbane’s CBD and slowly marched through the city.
