New NSW women's minister causes stir over pro-life abortion view

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's pick for minister for women is already courting controversy over her abortion views.

Tanya Davies (middle) with colleagues Brad Hazzard  and Dominic Perrottet

Tanya Davies (middle) with colleagues Brad Hazzard and Dominic Perrottet Source: AAP

It's first day on the job for NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's new-look cabinet, but one of her new ministers is already courting controversy.

The 23-strong front bench team was officially sworn in on Monday and features a minister for women who's privately opposed to abortion and a multiculturalism minister who believes all non-indigenous Australians are essentially immigrants.

Immediately after taking her oath of service at Government House, Minister for Women Tanya Davies revealed her views on abortion.

"I am pro-life personally, but in my role I'm there to support all women," the Liberal MP said.
That's prompted feminist group Women's Electoral Lobby to voice concerns, saying the overwhelming majority of NSW residents were pro-choice.

"And we would want a minister for women who is prepared to trust women and doctors to make personal medical decisions," Claire Pullen from the group told the ABC.

Labor MP Penny Sharpe also urged caution.

"Women's reproductive rights in NSW must not go backwards," she tweeted.

Meanwhile, new Multiculturalism Minister Ray Williams has come out in strong support of immigrants when quizzed about US President Donald Trump's temporary ban on visas for travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Mr Williams said he was proud of NSW's diverse communities.

"Unless you are our indigenous brothers and sisters, then you all came here at some time," he said.

NSW also now has its first counter terrorism minister in David Elliot, while Stuart Ayres was formally appointed minister of the newly-created portfolio solely responsible for Sydney's WestConnex motorway project.

Veteran MP Brad Hazzard is now health minister and former planning minister Rob Stokes has replaced dumped Nationals MP Adrian Piccoli in the education portfolio.


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Published 31 January 2017 3:34am
Updated 31 January 2017 9:59am
Source: AAP


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