Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is refusing to say whether she'll be voting for the decriminalisation of abortion in Queensland, despite previously indicating her support for the legislation.
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The proposed bill would take abortion out of the criminal code and make it a health issue, allowing women to terminate pregnancies up to 22 weeks' gestation.
It will be debated in state parliament next week but the premier on Wednesday was non-committal when asked which way she would vote, calling instead for a "respectful" debate on the issue.
"I don't think it's very helpful at all for anyone to be putting pressure on any MP," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"That's why I said I think it should be respectful and all the journalists should respect the members views that they have a very big decision to make, and they should not have to be declaring one way or another how they will vote."
When announcing the laws would be introduced in July this year the premier spruiked how proud she was to be introducing the legislation.
"This is a very proud day for me to be able to stand here and say this is a health issue for women," she said in July
"It is not for me to tell another woman what to do when she is confronted by these health issues."
Ms Palaszczuk welcomed the Liberal National Party opposition decision to join the Labor government in giving its members a free vote on the issue.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington confirmed she will be voting against the proposed changes, promising to outline her reasons during the debate in state parliament next week.
"Once again, I call for a respectful debate on this deeply emotional and complex issue," she said on Tuesday.
Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner on Wednesday said he was "very close" to making up his mind on the issue and would continue to listen to his constituents.
The government will arrange for Queensland Health to give private briefings to any MP who requests one.
Under the changes, abortion would be allowed after 22 weeks with the approval of two separate doctors.
They would also enforce safe zones around clinics and medical facilities offering the procedure to stop staff and patients being harassed by anti-abortion activists.
Australian Associated Press
