The Leader of the ACT Opposition, Kate Carnell, accused the ACT Government of deception yesterday over funding for an abortion clinic.
She cited a Cabinet briefing made in May last year about strategies to fund and legislate for the clinic. The briefing was made public on the ABC’s Matt Abraham show yesterday.
The briefing suggested dealing with the issue early in the term so as not to prolong the agony. It nominated who in the Assembly would support a free-standing clinic and who would oppose. It warned that if it were delayed Independents Michael Moore and Helen Szuty might introduce a Bill. They would get any credit for introducing Labor’s policy and “”we would get the pain”.
It advised against waiting until the Budget because Liberal MLA “”Gary Humphries and perhaps sq(Abolish Self-Government MLA) Dennis Stevenson will scrutinise the Budget, probably during Estimates if we have it, to find where any funding for abortion services may be . . . “”.
The document noted doubts by Labor MLAs Terry Connolly, Bill Wood and Ellnor Grassy about the agenda driven by Health Minister Wayne Berry and the Left faction.
Ms Carnell asked whether this was open government. The left agenda was advanced as far back as May last year, but there as no community consultation about it, she said.
The document was evidence of the need for a vigorous debate about reforming government in the ACT.