Senior female Liberal MPs have voiced their horror and disgust after Queensland colleague Keith Pitt suggested the party should revisit Australia's abortion laws, in comments described as politically damaging and "from a bygone era".
Backlash from Within
The controversy erupted during a Coalition party room meeting where Mr Pitt, the member for Hinkler, argued for discussing abortion restrictions. The intervention prompted immediate and fierce condemnation from prominent Liberal women, who warned such views could alienate female voters and damage the party's modern reputation.
One senior female MP told Guardian Australia there was "universal horror" at the comments, while another described feeling "physically sick" hearing a colleague advocate for restricting women's rights in 2025.
A Political Minefield
The incident highlights the ongoing tension within the Coalition between conservative and moderate voices on social issues. Multiple sources confirmed that several female MPs spoke out forcefully against Mr Pitt's position during the meeting, making clear that reopening abortion debates would be electorally disastrous.
One Liberal woman warned that such comments "set us back decades" and could undermine the party's efforts to present as modern and inclusive. Another noted the particular irony of the timing, given recent efforts to attract more women to politics.
Damage Control
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for opposition leader Michael Sukkar sought to downplay the incident, stating the Coalition has no plans to change abortion laws and that Mr Pitt's views represent his personal opinion rather than party policy.
However, the damage may already be done, with one MP noting that such comments "confirm every negative stereotype" about the party and make it harder to appeal to younger, progressive voters.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that despite legal settlements on reproductive rights, the political battle over women's bodies continues to simmer beneath the surface of Australian politics.
