Hundreds of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Brisbane to protest for abortion rights after the issue was heatedly debated ahead of the Queensland election.
The Keep Abortion Legal rally took place outside the old Treasury Casino in the city’s CBD on Friday evening, with as many as 500 protesters turning up.
Organizers said anger was directed at the Liberal National Party for its position on abortion.
LNP leader David Crisafulli became Queensland premier at last Saturday’s state election, the first time Labor has been defeated in nine years.
Mr Crisafulli had insisted there would be no changes to abortion laws if he were elected prime minister ahead of the election.
He voted against a 2018 bill that removed abortion from the Criminal Code and allowed women to undergo the procedure only after 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Protesters in Brisbane on Friday evening demanded the government keep abortion legal and make it free and accessible.
Protesters marched through the CBD, starting at George Street, before circling the city and returning to Brisbane Square.
About 500 protesters turned out to support abortion rights in Brisbane after it became a controversial issue in the recent state election
The event was organized by groups the National Union of Students and Children of your choice.
Speakers included Children by Choice CEO Jill McCay, a family physician and University of Queensland Union Women’s Officer Alyssa Roser, among others.
“I think the feeling was just real anger and outrage at the Liberal government,” election chairwoman Ella Gutteridge said told the Courier Post.
“I think their election means there is not a second to waste in organizing to fight back.”
Ms Gutteridge said a “very diverse audience” turned up for the meeting, shedding light on other issues such as the rights of First Nations people.
Abortion became a key issue during the heated election between Crisafulli and former Labor Prime Minister Steven Miles.
Mr Crisafulli was asked about the issue more than 130 times during the campaign and repeatedly stated that the LNP had no intention of changing abortion laws.
The firestorm started after Robbie Katter, state leader of Katter’s Australian Party, said he would introduce legislation on October 8 to repeal or change abortion laws.
Mr Katter’s announcement paralyzed the election and took away from Mr Crisafulli’s key promise to solve juvenile crime in the state.
Attendees gathered in Brisbane’s CBD and slowly marched through the city