Fair Agenda

This election we have a critical chance to secure changes to Queensland's archaic archaic laws. But to make that happen -- we'll need to ensure that a majority of pro-choice candidates are elected to the next parliament.

That means ensuring that we as pro-choice voters are supporting candidates that will represent us on this issue.

That's why Fair Agenda have asked all candidates to commit that, if elected, they will “vote to remove abortion from the criminal code, and support laws to ensure all Queenslanders can safely and legally access full reproductive healthcare, without being harassed or intimidated." That means we've asked candidates if they would support three specific reforms if they are put to the parliament (you can read the pledge question in full below).

Fair Agenda's pledge ask has also backed by The Human Rights Law Centre, Women’s Legal Service Queensland, White Ribbon and the Queensland Council of Unions.

So far 154 QLD candidates have signed up to Fair Agenda's pro-choice candidate pledge!

You can find out whether your local candidates have taken the pledge below (to find your electorate, just input your address in this ECQ tool).

Then can you help build the pressure on the remaining candidates to join these pro-choice champions; or to let voters know that they think abortion should keep being treated as a crime? Sign up to get involved in the campaign for safe and legal access to abortion, here!

Which candidates have taken the Fair Agenda pledge so far?

*Please note: This list only contains the candidates who have said yes to Fair Agenda's pledge question. Other responses that have been received from candidates' will be released by Fair Agenda in coming days.

This election we have an historic opportunity to win safe and legal abortion in Queensland... 

Fair Agenda's analysis shows that there are enough pro-choice candidates challenging anti-choice MPs in key marginal seats to tip Queensland’s parliament to a pro-choice majority at this election. That's exactly what we need to change these archaic laws.

But to make that happen, it will take all of us. Can you help? Sign up to get involved in the campaign for safe and legal access to abortion here: http://www.fairagenda.org/decriminalise_qldelection

The Fair Agenda pledge question

Fair Agenda has asked all candidates to pledge that if elected:

I will vote to remove abortion from the criminal code, and support laws to ensure all Queenslanders can safely and legally access full reproductive healthcare, without being harassed or intimidated.

Specifically, taking the pledge means that candidates commit to support reforms that:

1. Treat abortion like other medical procedures, as a private decision for the pregnant person in consultation with their doctor, up until 24 weeks gestation. And also provide legal access to abortion beyond this point if the pregnant person consents and two doctors determine there is a risk of harm if the pregnancy is not terminated. (This is consistent with the Victorian Law Reform Commission's recommendations and Queensland clinical practice regarding foetal viability). 
   
   
2. Ensure a doctor's personal beliefs don't get in the way of their patient's access to reproductive healthcare; by requiring doctors who oppose abortion on the basis of their personal beliefs to refer a patient seeking advice on, or provision of, an abortion to another provider who doesn't have the same opposition.
   
   
3. Create safe access zones that prevent harassment and intimidation within 150m of premises that provide abortion.

This pledge ask is also backed by: The Human Rights Law Centre, Women’s Legal Service Queensland, White Ribbon and the Queensland Council of Unions.

Candidates can add their response to Fair Agenda's pledge question at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FA_Qldelectionpledge

- Authorised by R.Carr, Fair Agenda, 673 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.-