One Nation Leader Pledges Tighter Abortion Controls in NSW

One Nation leader Mike Newman pledged at a rally outside the New South Wales state parliament to implement tighter controls on abortion if his party wins the March state election. Newman specifically targeted late-term abortions and terminations for sex-selection purposes, vowing to support the principles of a private member's bill introduced by Libertarian MP John Ruddick that would make sex-selection abortions explicitly illegal and punishable by jail terms.

Following the rally, Newman clarified his position after initially stating the party wanted to stop abortion rights. He admitted he made a mistake in his phrasing, asserting that the party does not seek an outright ban but specifically opposes late-term and sex-selective procedures. This aligns with federal leader Pauline Hanson's previous statements that she is not against first-trimester abortions, though the party's formal policy remains pro-life.

Opponents and government officials have dismissed the push. Greens MP Amanda Cohn described the stance as a thinly veiled attempt to re-criminalise abortion, while Health Minister Ryan Park stated there is no evidence that sex-selective abortions are occurring, noting they are already prohibited under professional misconduct rules. Premier Chris Minns urged voters to scrutinize the party's platform, suggesting One Nation is the most likely alternative government if the current administration falls.