Coalition MP George Christensen with Lyle Shelton in Brisbane on Sunday. Via Twitter
Liberal National MP George Christensen spent his Sunday attending and speaking at a pro-life rally in Brisbane. The outspoken Government backbencher (you might recall him posing with a gun in the wake of last month’s Florida school shooting) spent Sunday criticising his own party’s support of abortion services in Australia and abroad.Speaking in front of Brisbane state parliament yesterday, Christensen criticised the Coalition for committing to $9.5 million in funding for family planning organisation the International Planned Parenthood Federation—which offers abortion among numerous other health services within the Indo-Pacific region.“I’ve got to say that was a disgraceful act,” he told the crowd. “It was a very low point I think for our nation.”Christensen, who posed with former Australian Christian Lobby director (and current Australian Conservatives federal communications director) Lyle Shelton at the rally, said he would request that treasurer Scott Morrison take money from abortion services and use it to help young Australian mothers instead.Abortion is still technically illegal in Queensland, although state parliament will likely reconsider the issue later this year. Joined by incumbent federal Liberal senator for Queensland Amanda Stoker, Christensen urged lawmakers against decriminalising abortion, citing the “draconian” laws of Victoria as a worst case scenario.“I think we’re about to get a tsunami of bad laws here,” he said.“Children and babies may not be able to vote but we must ensure that they are heard and protected by all those who govern,” Stoker agreed.
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