A prominent anti-abortion campaigner has won control of a Brisbane division of the Liberal National party, prompting alarm among moderates that “fringe infiltrators” were attempting to increase their influence as polls point to a state election win.
Alan Baker, a former vice-president of the anti-abortion lobby group Cherish Life, was elected chair of the LNP’s Griffith federal divisional council (FDC) by two votes on Thursday night.
The council controls preselections and campaigns in the federal seat of Griffith, which has been held by the Greens and considered Queensland’s most progressive.
Baker has been contacted for comment.
Sources have told Guardian Australia that Baker’s supporters turned up to Thursday night’s vote and quizzed the moderate faction’s candidate for chair about abortion.
FDC chair positions are held by relatively low-level officials within the party structure but have a seat on the state council. Moderates said the election of Baker was nonetheless concerning, as the LNP looks on the verge of winning back power in Queensland.
The opposition leader, David Crisafulli, has promised not to change abortion laws. At the last election, the LNP downplayed its position to review abortion laws, amid concern that the issue damaged the party with city voters.
One LNP moderate said it was “absurd” the party would choose Baker to lead a progressive inner-city division.
Another LNP source said: “Fringe infiltrators can see an election victory around the corner and are desperate to increase their influence”.
