The upcoming Queensland election has been rocked by controversy after the surfacing of comments made by Freya Ostapovitch, the Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate for Stretton, regarding her pro-life stance and the potential for changes to the state’s abortion laws post-election. The revelations have raised alarm among voters and opposition parties, casting doubt on the LNP’s official position on the sensitive issue.
Candidate’s Controversial Comments Exposed
In a secret recording obtained by media outlets, Ostapovitch was heard telling a voter at a pre-poll booth, “I am pro-life,” and suggesting a link between abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer. The candidate, who previously served as the MP for Stretton from 2012 to 2015, also hinted at potential post-election action on abortion laws, stating, “You vote for me, you trust me. I can’t say anything yet because we have got to get elected before we do anything.”
The comments have drawn sharp criticism from the Labor party, with Deputy Premier Cameron Dick warning that they “should send a chill down the spine of every person in Queensland.” The revelations come despite repeated assurances from LNP leader David Crisafulli that abortion laws would not change under an LNP government.
Ostapovitch’s Past Controversial Remarks
This is not the first time Ostapovitch has faced scrutiny for her views on abortion. During her previous term as an MP, she claimed in a late-night parliamentary speech that abortion reduces “protective factors” against breast cancer, citing a widely debunked 2013 study. Her comments at the time were met with humiliation and made headlines, focusing on the purported link between abortion and women’s health risks.
“One of the things they say can increase the risk of breast cancer is abortion,” Ostapovitch reiterated in the recent recording. “I don’t know how they don’t understand it’s a life.”
LNP’s Stance on Abortion Under Scrutiny
The LNP has been dogged by questions over its position on abortion, with leader David Crisafulli repeatedly stating that the laws would not change under his government. However, the party has not ruled out allowing a conscience vote on a bill related to the issue, set to be introduced by the Katter’s Australian Party in the next parliament.
In 2018, all but three LNP MPs voted against legalizing abortion in Queensland, including Crisafulli and his deputy, Jarrod Bleijie. This voting record, coupled with Ostapovitch’s recent comments, has raised concerns among pro-choice advocates about the potential for a shift in the state’s abortion laws should the LNP win the upcoming election.
Implications for the Queensland Election
As the Queensland election draws closer, the controversy surrounding Ostapovitch’s comments has the potential to sway voter opinion and impact the outcome in key battleground seats. Labor has seized upon the issue, portraying the LNP as “full of anti-abortion activists” who “want to make it a crime to have a termination of pregnancy.”
In response to the growing backlash, Ostapovitch issued a statement urging voters not to “fall for Labor’s desperate scare campaign,” and reaffirming her commitment to the LNP’s position of no changes to abortion laws. However, the damage may already be done, as trust in the party’s stance on the issue has been called into question.
As Queenslanders head to the polls, the abortion debate has unexpectedly taken center stage, forcing voters to consider the potential consequences of their choices on women’s reproductive rights. The outcome of the election may hinge on the ability of the LNP to convince the electorate of its commitment to maintaining the status quo on abortion laws, in the face of mounting skepticism fueled by its own candidate’s controversial remarks.
