Newsroom
Every Queenslander’s Democratic Right in Question: Katter.
February 7, 2026
“We’ve just seen a huge national debate play out in the Federal Parliament around free speech, and the state government have a chance to make amends for their federal colleagues voting to curtail free speech. The irony can’t be lost that a party that would typically be associated with free speech are now pioneers of denying the same right in one of our most important arenas,” the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) leader and State Member for Traeger said.
Mr Katter has announced he will move a motion without notice on the first sitting day of 2026 in the Queensland Parliament, on Tuesday, to reverse the LNP gag motion on debate regarding abortion.
“A government should not be able to gag debate on an issue because it’s politically inconvenient for them – the very ideal is utterly offensive to the parliamentary process. This is a new year, and a perfect time to reset,” he said.
“I’m willing to accept the government were nervous and unsure of themselves 14 months ago when they blindsided parliament, and even their own backbenchers, but now they’ve settled in, they should have the confidence to redeem themselves by lifting the gag order in the new year.
“On Tuesday, every MP will have to decide, 'do I tow the party line', or 'do I vote in favour of democracy and our parliament'? It doesn’t matter what their position is on abortion is at this point,” The KAP Leader said.
The Member for Traeger lamented the dangerous precedent set by the LNP government.
“What we’ve seen for the last 14 months is a compromised parliamentary system in Queensland,” Mr Katter said.
“When I learned about parliament at school, and indeed when I did my induction in 2012 after first being elected, I learned that parliament is for the open and transparent debate of policy and legislation that will further our state.
“Instead, what we’ve seen is an allegedly conservative government dictating what the parliament can and cannot discuss.
“I’ve been waiting for them to add more topics to the list - will it be gay rights? Any changes to the education system? Or perhaps once they ram through their next attempt at addressing crime, they’ll call time and gag any further debate on crime in this state?
“This is an appalling precedent, and I wait with anticipation to see how many MPs in Queensland value our system of democracy on Tuesday.
“It shouldn’t matter what your stance in on any issue, every Queenslander should be heavily invested in the parliament being able to raise issues without parties in government blocking debate when things get tricky for them,” he said.