7 Aug 2019

Justice Minister says no deal with NZ First over abortion law

From Morning Report, 7:25 am on 7 August 2019

The Justice Minister says he's not going to do a deal with New Zealand First to help secure votes for his abortion law reforms.

On Tuesday NZ First MP Tracey Martin ruled out a referendum on abortion reform, which is set down for its first reading tomorrow Thursday.

And she insisted none of her colleagues had proposed any changes to Andrew Little's bill that will take abortion out of the Crimes Act.

But just hours later - to the surprise of both Ms Martin and Mr Little - Winston Peters revealed the party was considering a binding referendum on the matter.