Federal minister for women Marise Payne has come out saying “it’s not OK” that a 2GB radio host asked NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian live on air whether she would have an abortion.
On Friday, Berejiklian was being interviewed by 2GB host Ben Fordham when she was repeatedly asked whether she would consider having an abortion, as the debate over the contentious bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW continues.
Berejiklian has been accused of rushing the bill through parliament, with members of her own government disagreeing with how she has handled the bill.
During Fordham’s interview with the premier, he asked whether she would consider having an abortion.
The nature of questioning by Fordham has drawn ire from fellow NSW politicians, including senator Payne.
She told the ABC’s Insiders last night that it was no an appropriate question to ask anyone.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask anyone publicly, male or female, about sensitive health questions like that and it’s not OK.”
Throughout the interview, Fordham continued to press the premier after her initial hesitance to express her personal views on abortion.
“Under no circumstances?” he asked.
Berejiklian replied started to reply, “I can’t speak for, I can’t speak…” before Fordham cut her off and said, “But within, Gladys, Gladys from Willoughby or wherever you live…”
Claiming she didn’t want her faith or personal beliefs to impact anyone else’s view, Fordham then pressed further, asking for her personal view and not her “parliamentary view or […] premier view.”
Berejiklian replied: “I’m a very conservative person who would not feel comfortable in having that process, but that is just me, and it’s not fair for me … and Ben, you’ve been naughty in pushing me to say that, because I don’t want anyone to feel guilty about decisions they’ve made, because I’m not in their shoes.”
Federal opposition spokeswoman for women Julie Collins also condemned the line of questioning, tweeting last night that she couldn’t “believe anyone would think this question was OK.”
