Liberal women react with ‘horror’ to abortion comments from Coalition colleagues

Jane Hume says politicians should not be using straightforward legislation as a ‘Trojan horse’ for personal opinionsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConcerns from conservative Coalition MPs including Andrew Hastie and Barnaby Joyce about paid parental leave applying to late-term abortions elicited “a bit of horror” from women in the party, according to Jane Hume, as Sussan Ley and senior figures rejected the claims from rightwing figures.Ley branded as “insensitive” concerns raised by some colleagues about the potential for women to seek late-term abortions in order to access paid parental leave. The shadow minister for women, Melissa McIntosh, said: “I’ve never heard of a woman doing that.” Continue reading...