The debate over whether to decriminalise abortion in Queensland is set to divide the Parliament.
With debate on the issue to be held next month, Fairfax Media asked all 89 MPs in Queensland how they would vote.
![Jackie Trad addresses pro-choice abortion activists as they rally in Brisbane.](/web/20170217113001im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/v/w/2/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gudvd0.png/1487302983925.jpg)
While some members came out strongly in support or against any change to the abortion laws, others were more coy on their personal opinions.
Independent member for Cairns Rob Pyne introduced two private member's bills which, if passed, would decriminalise abortion.
Abortion is the only medical procedure to feature in the Queensland Criminal Code. It has sat there since 1899 but has been amended over the decades.
Member for Yeerongpilly Mark Bailey and member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said they were pro-choice.
Whereas member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said he supported the status quo and member for Cleveland Mark Robinson said he would vote against both bills.
The bills are due to be debated from March 1, and every Wednesday night until they are either passed or fail.
Labor allowed its members to have a conscience vote.
The LNP allowed a conscience vote on the first bill but is waiting to see the committee's report on the second bill before deciding whether to have a conscience vote.
The questions asked of the MPs were:
1. Do you support decriminalising abortion in Queensland?
2. Will you support one, both or neither of the abortion bills when they come to a vote? If so, which bill(s) will you support?
Of the MPs who responded, 14 were generally for change, 12 indicated they were unlikely to support change and 44 said they were undecided or declined to state their position.
What will the bills change?
The first bill - Abortion Law Reform (Woman's Right to Choose) Amendment Bill 2016 and Inquiry into laws governing termination of pregnancy - would remove abortion from the Criminal Code.
Missing from the proposal were details around gestational limits, conscientious objection and safe access zones.
In August, the committee recommended Mr Pyne's first bill not be passed.
The second bill - Health (Abortion Law Reform) Amendment Bill 2016 - set guidelines, such as the establishment of 50 metres "safe zones" and gestation limits.
It would mean that only a doctor could perform an abortion, a woman would not commit an offence by performing, consenting to or assisting in an abortion on herself.
An abortion on a woman who was more than 24 weeks pregnant would only be performed if two doctors reasonably believed the continuation of the woman's pregnancy would involve greater risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the woman than if the pregnancy were terminated.
Conscientious objection would be allowed but a doctor would have a duty to perform an abortion if necessary to save the woman's life or prevent serious physical injury.
Protected zones of at least 50 metres would be created around abortion facilities and harassment would be prohibited.
Publishing images of a person entering or leaving an abortion facility would be prohibited.
When the bills are debated in the house together, concerns have been raised by some MPs that amendments proposed - which would not go back before a committee for consideration - could make it more difficult for women to obtain an abortion.
The issue has spilled outside the Parliament
MPs on all sides of the house have been lobbied by constituents and protests have been held outside Parliament as the debate draws closer.
On Saturday, pro life protesters converged on Parliament.
On Thursday night, the Women's Abortion Rights Campaign held a rally, with Mr Pyne addressing the crowd and "surprise speaker" member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad also speaking.
Ms Trad said she believed a woman should have the right to choose her own reproductive health.
"People can come to this debate with their own ethics, their own codes of social justice, their own perspectives," she said.
"But what we do know is that a majority of Queenslanders, an overwhelming majority of Queenslanders, believe that the law needs to be changed."
Ms Trad encouraged people to call LNP members and Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls's office.
"Please, don't give up so close to the end of the fight," she said.
Mr Pyne said the battle should have been won many years ago.
"All we're trying to do is get abortion out of the Criminal Code and treat it as a women's health issue," Mr Pyne said.
A small group of pro lifers also attended the rally, holding signs such as "life begins at conception" and "Jackie Trad once was an unborn baby".
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