How did MPs and Senators vote on conscience issues?

• Information about Conscience Votes
• EMILY's List
• How did your local MP and Senators vote?
• Other candidates with a voting record in state or federal politics

Information about Conscience Votes

There have been two conscience votes during the last Federal Parliament. One was on the abortion drug, RU486, and the other was on the cloning and destruction of human embryos for research. Both of these questions revolved around the sanctity of early human life.

Conscience votes are not a comprehensive measure of a politician's values. They are usually only held on sensitive questions of life, and do not apply to other important value matters where politicians usually follow their party's line. Nonetheless, conscience votes do show how a politician approaches a significant ethical question, where their sense of values comes from, and what their personal view is on what we believe to be one of the most important questions of all: the protection of human life from conception to natural death.

Click here to see an 'at a glance' summary of how MPs and Senators voted on the abortion drug, RU486 and on cloning and destroying human embryos.

Click here to read speeches from Senators on cloning human embryos [215KB]
Click here to read speeches from MPs on cloning human embryos [266KB]

Click here to read speeches from Senators on the abortion drug, RU486 [269KB]
Click here to read speeches from MPs on the abortion drug, RU486 [758KB]

EMILY's List

EMILY's List is a political network formed to increase the number of women Labor parliamentarians who are willing to support key feminist issues, including abortion. It provides financial, political and personal support to Labor women candidates who agree to support the values of EMILY's List. It is the only network of its kind in Australian politics.
EMILY's List members and candidates must support the principles of equity, diversity, pro-choice, and the provision of equal pay and childcare, both in the community and in Parliament. Many of these are signficant issues but it is concerning that membership of such a network dictates a parliamentarian's vote. For example, EMILY's List members consistently support pro-abortion policies, reflecting both their personal beliefs and their membership of the List. Without exception, every ALP parliamentarian named on EMILY's List voted to support the abortion drug RU486 and to permit the cloning of human embryos for destructive research.
Not all female Labor MPs or Senators are EMILY's List members. Some prominent ALP members such as NSW Senator Ursula Stephens and Tasmanian Senator Helen Polley support pro-life policies. However, if you want to support candidates who recognise the value of human life from its earliest stages then you need to know if your current representative or local candidate is a member of EMILY's List because List membership will determine her vote on these issues. Click here to find out.

How did your local MP and Senators vote?

Conscience votes for ACT Federal Electorates

ACT Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
CANBERRA	ALP	Ellis, Ms Annette	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FRASER	ALP	McMullan, Mr Robert	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for ACT

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Liberal	Humphries, Senator Gary	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Lundy, Senator Kate	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for NSW Federal Electorates

NSW Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
BANKS	ALP	Melham, Mr Daryl	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BARTON	ALP	McClelland, Mr Robert	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BENNELONG	Liberal Party	Howard, The Hon John	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
BEROWRA	Liberal Party	Ruddock, The Hon Philip	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
BLAXLAND	ALP	Hatton, Mr Michael	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BRADFIELD	Liberal Party	Nelson, The Hon Dr Brendan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CALARE	Independent	Andren, Mr Peter	No Vote Recorded	Opposed cloning
CHARLTON	ALP	Hoare, Ms Kelly	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CHIFLEY	ALP	Price, The Hon Roger	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
COOK	Liberal Party	Baird, The Hon Bruce	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
COWPER	National Party	Hartsuyker, Mr Luke	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
CUNNINGHAM	ALP	Bird, Ms Sharon	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
DOBELL	Liberal Party	Ticehurst, Mr Kenneth	Supported RU486	No vote recorded
EDEN-MONARO	Liberal Party	Nairn, The Hon Gary	Supported RU486	No vote recorded
FARRER	Liberal Party	Ley, The Hon Sussan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FOWLER	ALP	Irwin, Mrs Julia	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GILMORE	Liberal Party	Gash, Mrs Joanna	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GRAYNDLER	ALP	Albanese, Mr Anthony	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GREENWAY	Liberal Party	Markus, Mrs Louise	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
GWYDIR	National Party	Anderson, The Hon John	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
HUGHES	Liberal Party	Vale, The Hon Danna	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
HUME	Liberal Party	Schultz, Mr Albert	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
HUNTER	ALP	Fitzgibbon, Mr Joel	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
KINGSFORD SMITH	ALP	Garrett, Mr Peter	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
LINDSAY	Liberal Party	Kelly, The Hon Jacqueline	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
LOWE	ALP	Murphy, Mr John	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
LYNE	National Party	Vaile, The Hon Mark	No Vote Recorded	Opposed cloning
MACARTHUR	Liberal Party	Farmer, The Hon Patrick	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
MACKELLAR	Liberal Party	Bishop, The Hon Bronwyn	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
MACQUARIE	Liberal Party	Bartlett, Mr Kerry	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MITCHELL	Liberal Party	Cadman, The Hon Alan	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
NEW ENGLAND	Independent	Windsor, Mr Antony	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
NEWCASTLE	ALP	Grierson, Ms Sharon	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
NORTH SYDNEY	Liberal Party	Hockey, The Hon Joseph	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
PAGE	National Party	Causley, The Hon Ian	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
PARKES	National Party	Cobb, The Hon John	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
PARRAMATTA	ALP	Owens, Ms Julie	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
PATERSON	Liberal Party	Baldwin, The Hon Robert	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
PROSPECT	ALP	Bowen, Mr Chris	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
REID	ALP	Ferguson, Mr Laurie	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
RICHMOND	ALP	Elliot, Mrs Justine	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
RIVERINA	National Party	Hull, Mrs Kay	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
ROBERTSON	Liberal Party	Lloyd, The Hon James	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
SHORTLAND	ALP	Hall, Ms Jill	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
SYDNEY	ALP	Plibersek, Ms Tanya	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
THROSBY	ALP	George, Ms Jennie	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
WARRINGAH	Liberal Party	Abbott, The Hon Anthony	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
WATSON	ALP	Burke, Mr Anthony	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
WENTWORTH	Liberal Party	Turnbull, The Hon Malcolm	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
WERRIWA	ALP	Hayes, Mr Christopher	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for NSW

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
ALP	Campbell, Senator George	Supported RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Liberal	Coonan, Senator The Hon. Helen	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning (paired vote)
ALP	Faulkner, Senator The Hon. John	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Fierravanti-Wells, Senator Concetta	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Forshaw, Senator Michael	No vote recorded	Opposed cloning (paired vote)
Liberal	Heffernan, Senator The Hon. Bill	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Hutchins, Senator Steve	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Nationals	Macdonald, Senator The Hon. Sandy	No vote recorded	Opposed cloning
Nationals	Nash, Senator Fiona	Supported RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Greens	Nettle, Senator Kerry	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Payne, Senator Marise	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Stephens, Senator Ursula	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for NT Federal Electorates

NT Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
LINGIARI	ALP	Snowdon, The Hon Warren	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
SOLOMON	CLP	Tollner, Mr David	Opposed RU486	No vote recorded

Return to top of page

Senators for NT

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
ALP	Crossin, Senator Trish	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Country Liberal Party	Scullion, Senator Nigel	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for QLD Federal Electorates

QLD Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
BLAIR	Liberal Party	Thompson, Mr Cameron	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BONNER	Liberal Party	Vasta, Mr Ross	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
BOWMAN	Liberal Party	Laming, Mr Andrew	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BRISBANE	ALP	Bevis, The Hon Archibald	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CAPRICORNIA	ALP	Livermore, Ms Kirsten	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
DAWSON	National Party	Kelly, The Hon De-Anne	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
DICKSON	Liberal Party	Dutton, The Hon Peter	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
FADDEN	Liberal Party	Jull, The Hon David	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
FAIRFAX	Liberal Party	Somlyay, The Hon Alexander	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
FISHER	Liberal Party	Slipper, The Hon Peter	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
FORDE	Liberal Party	Elson, Mrs Kay	No Vote Recorded	Supported cloning
GRIFFITH	ALP	Rudd, Mr Kevin	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
GROOM	Liberal Party	Macfarlane, The Hon Ian	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
HERBERT	Liberal Party	Lindsay, Mr Peter	Supported RU486	No vote recorded
HINKLER	National Party	Neville, Mr Paul	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
KENNEDY	Independent	Katter, The Hon Robert	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
LEICHHARDT	Liberal Party	Entsch, The Hon Warren	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
LILLEY	ALP	Swan, Mr Wayne	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
LONGMAN	Liberal Party	Brough, The Hon Malcolm	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MARANOA	National Party	Scott, The Hon Bruce	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
MCPHERSON	Liberal Party	May, Mrs Margaret	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MONCRIEFF	Liberal Party	Ciobo, Mr Steven	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MORETON	Liberal Party	Hardgrave, The Hon Gary	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
OXLEY	ALP	Ripoll, Mr Bernard	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
PETRIE	Liberal Party	Gambaro, The Hon Teresa	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
RANKIN	ALP	Emerson, Dr Craig	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
RYAN	Liberal Party	Johnson, Mr Michael	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
WIDE BAY	National Party	Truss, The Hon Warren	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for QLD

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Democrats	Bartlett, Senator Andrew	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Nationals	Boswell, Senator The Hon. Ronald	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Brandis, Senator George	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning (paired vote)
ALP	Hogg, Senator John	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Nationals	Joyce, Senator Barnaby	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Ludwig, Senator Joe	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Macdonald, Senator The Hon. Ian	Supported RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Liberal	Mason, Senator Brett	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning (paired vote)
ALP	McLucas, Senator Jan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Moore, Senator Claire	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Santoro, Senator The Hon. Santo	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Trood, Senator Russell	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for SA Federal Electorates

SA Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
ADELAIDE	ALP	Ellis, Ms Katherine	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
BARKER	Liberal Party	Secker, Mr Patrick	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
BOOTHBY	Liberal Party	Southcott, Dr Andrew	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GREY	Liberal Party	Wakelin, Mr Barry	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
HINDMARSH	ALP	Georganas, Mr Steven	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
KINGSTON	Liberal Party	Richardson, Mr Kym	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MAKIN	Liberal Party	Draper, Mrs Patricia	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MAYO	Liberal Party	Downer, The Hon Alexander	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
PORT ADELAIDE	ALP	Sawford, Mr Rodney	No Vote Recorded	Supported cloning
STURT	Liberal Party	Pyne, The Hon Christopher	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
WAKEFIELD	Liberal Party	Fawcett, Mr David	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for SA

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Liberal	Bernardi, Senator Cory	No vote recorded	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Chapman, Senator Grant	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Ferguson, Senator Alan	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Ferris, Senator Jeannie	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Hurley, Senator Annette	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Kirk, Senator Linda	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	McEwen, Senator Anne	Supported RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Liberal	Minchin, Senator The Hon. Nick	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Democrats	Stott Despoja, Senator Natasha	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Vanstone, Senator The Hon. Amanda	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Wong, Senator Penny	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Wortley, Senator Dana	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for TAS Federal Electorates

TAS Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
BASS	Liberal Party	Ferguson, Mr Michael	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
BRADDON	Liberal Party	Baker, Mr Mark	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
DENISON	ALP	Kerr, The Hon Duncan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FRANKLIN	ALP	Quick, Mr Harry	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
LYONS	ALP	Adams, The Hon Dick	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for TAS

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Liberal	Abetz, Senator The Hon. Eric	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Barnett, Senator Guy	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Greens	Brown, Senator Bob	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Brown, Senator Carol	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Calvert, Senator The Hon. Paul	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Colbeck, Senator The Hon. Richard	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Greens	Milne, Senator Christine	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning (paired vote)
ALP	O'Brien, Senator Kerry	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Parry, Senator Stephen	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Polley, Senator Helen	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Sherry, Senator The Hon. Nick	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Watson, Senator John	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for VIC Federal Electorates

VIC Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
ASTON	Liberal Party	Pearce, The Hon Christopher	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
BALLARAT	ALP	King, Ms Catherine	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BATMAN	ALP	Ferguson, Mr Martin	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BENDIGO	ALP	Gibbons, Mr Stephen	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
BRUCE	ALP	Griffin, Mr Alan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CALWELL	ALP	Vamvakinou, Ms Maria	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CASEY	Liberal Party	Smith, Mr Anthony	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
CHISHOLM	ALP	Burke, Ms Anna	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
CORANGAMITE	Liberal Party	McArthur, Mr Stewart	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CORIO	ALP	O'Connor, Mr Gavan	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
DEAKIN	Liberal Party	Barresi, Mr Phillip	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
DUNKLEY	Liberal Party	Billson, The Hon Bruce	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FLINDERS	Liberal Party	Hunt, The Hon Gregory	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GELLIBRAND	ALP	Roxon, Ms Nicola	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
GIPPSLAND	National Party	McGauran, The Hon Peter	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
GOLDSTEIN	Liberal Party	Robb, The Hon Andrew	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
GORTON	ALP	O'Connor, Mr Brendan	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
HIGGINS	Liberal Party	Costello, The Hon Peter	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
HOLT	ALP	Byrne, Mr Anthony	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
HOTHAM	ALP	Crean, The Hon Simon	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
INDI	Liberal Party	Panopoulos, Ms Sophie	Opposed RU486	No vote recorded
ISAACS	ALP	Corcoran, Ms Ann	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
JAGAJAGA	ALP	Macklin, Ms Jennifer	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
KOOYONG	Liberal Party	Georgiou, Mr Petro	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
LA TROBE	Liberal Party	Wood, Mr Jason	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
LALOR	ALP	Gillard, Ms Julia	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MALLEE	National Party	Forrest, Mr John	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MARIBYRNONG	ALP	Sercombe, Mr Robert	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MCEWEN	Liberal Party	Bailey, The Hon Frances	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MCMILLAN	Liberal Party	Broadbent, Mr Russell	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
MELBOURNE	ALP	Tanner, Mr Lindsay	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MELBOURNE PORTS	ALP	Danby, Mr Michael	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
MENZIES	Liberal Party	Andrews, The Hon Kevin	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
MURRAY	Liberal Party	Stone, The Hon Dr Sharman	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
SCULLIN	ALP	Jenkins, Mr Harry	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
WANNON	Liberal Party	Hawker, The Hon David	No Vote Recorded	No vote recorded
WILLS	ALP	Thomson, Mr Kelvin	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for VIC

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Democrats	Allison, Senator Lyn	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Carr, Senator Kim	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Conroy, Senator Stephen	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Family First	Fielding, Senator Steve	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Fifield, Senator Mitch	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Kemp, Senator The Hon. Rod	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Marshall, Senator Gavin	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	McGauran, Senator Julian	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Patterson, Senator The Hon. Kay	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Ray, Senator Robert	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Ronaldson, Senator The Hon. Michael	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Troeth, Senator The Hon. Judith	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Conscience votes for WA Federal Electorates

WA Members of the House of Representatives

Electorate	Party	MP	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
BRAND	ALP	Beazley, The Hon Kim	Supported RU486	No vote recorded
CANNING	Liberal Party	Randall, Mr Don	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
COWAN	ALP	Edwards, The Hon Graham	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
CURTIN	Liberal Party	Bishop, The Hon Julie	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FORREST	Liberal Party	Prosser, The Hon Geoffrey	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
FREMANTLE	ALP	Lawrence, The Hon Dr Carmen	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
HASLUCK	Liberal Party	Henry, Mr Stuart	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
KALGOORLIE	Liberal Party	Haase, Mr Barry	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
MOORE	Liberal Party	Washer, Dr Malcolm	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
O'CONNOR	Liberal Party	Tuckey, The Hon Wilson	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning
PEARCE	Liberal Party	Moylan, The Hon Judith	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
PERTH	ALP	Smith, Mr Stephen	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
STIRLING	Liberal Party	Keenan, Mr Michael	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
SWAN	ALP	Wilkie, Mr Kim	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
TANGNEY	Liberal Party	Jensen, Dr Dennis	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Senators for WA

Party	Senator	Vote on RU486	Vote on Cloning
Liberal	Adams, Senator Judith	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Bishop, Senator Mark	No vote recorded	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Campbell, Senator The Hon. Ian	Opposed RU486	Supported cloning (paired vote)
Liberal	Eggleston, Senator Alan	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Liberal	Ellison, Senator The Hon. Christopher	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Evans, Senator Christopher	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Johnston, Senator David	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Liberal	Lightfoot, Senator Ross	Opposed RU486	Opposed cloning
Democrats	Murray, Senator Andrew	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
Greens	Siewert, Senator Rachel	Supported RU486	Supported cloning
ALP	Sterle, Senator Glenn	Supported RU486	Opposed cloning
ALP	Webber, Senator Ruth	Supported RU486	Supported cloning

Return to top of page

Other candidates with a voting record in state or federal politics

Some candidates contesting the 2007 federal election have a voting record in state politics or have previously been a member of the Federal Parliament. The following candidates have made statements on life issues, which are usually the subject of conscience votes, during their political careers. This is not an exhaustive list of such candidates.

Janelle Saffin
Janelle Saffin is standing for the ALP in the federal electorate of Page in NSW. Ms Saffin was a member of the NSW Parliament's Legislative Council from 1995-2003. During that time, in 1997 and in 2001, she spoke in favour of bringing the abortifacient drug, RU486, into NSW. She is a member of EMILY's List.

Belinda Neal
Belinda Neal was a Senator for NSW from 1994-1998. She is standing for the ALP in the electorate of Robertson, NSW. She is not a member of EMILY's List. In 1996, she spoke in support of the Senator Brian Harradine's proposal that decisions on the availability of RU486 should be made by the health minister, reflecting community concern about abortion drugs.

Kerrie Tucker
Kerrie Tucker is former Greens member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1995 - 2004) who is a Greens Senate candidate for the ACT. In 1997, she indicated that she would support a bill to legalise euthanasia in the ACT. In 1998, she opposed the introduction of informed consent legislation that required a cooling off period between the decision to have an abortion and the procedure itself. In 2002, Ms Tucker voted for the successful repeal of this legislation and the decriminalisation of abortion in the ACT, where abortion is now treated like any other medical procedure.