QUEENSLAND Right to Life (QRTL), buoyed by a new opinion poll showing that the majority of Queenslanders are opposed to abortion performed for non-medical reasons, is lobbying state politicians against possible moves to decriminalise killing of the unborn.
The poll showed that only 35 per cent of Queenslanders were in favour of abortion being performed on non-medical grounds.
Fifty-three per cent were opposed to abortion performed on non-medical grounds, which QRTL says, accounts for 98 per cent of all abortions.
The survey sought the views of a representative sample of 300 Queenslanders through a telephone poll conducted by Market Facts (Qld) Pty Ltd on the weekend of April 23-25.
QRTL released the results in a letter to all 89 members of State Parliament two weeks ago.
QRTL vice-president Alan Baker said this was the first telephone poll commissioned by the organisation.
Mr Baker said QRTL had been concerned a private member’s bill may be introduced for the decriminalisation of abortion following reports that pro-abortion groups had been lobbying politicians this year.
Queensland law states that abortion is illegal except ‘for the preservation of the mother’s life’.
QRTL president, Dr Donna Purcell, said the courts had interpreted this to allow abortions where there is a serious risk to the mother’s physical or mental health.
Dr Purcell said that in practice the law was not enforced and there was a de facto state of abortion on demand.
The poll showed that 71 per cent of Queenslanders wanted a ban on partial-birth abortion.
The poll also showed that 82 per cent of Queenslanders agreed that abortion could harm the physical and/or mental health of a woman and 62 per cent of Queenslanders believed abortion involved the taking of human life.
Dr Purcell said any support by members of State Parliament to decriminalise or legalise abortion would risk the ire and the vote of the majority of Queenslanders who were opposed to abortion on non-medical grounds.
