A Queensland government MP has taken the extraordinary step of crossing the floor of parliament during a vote on abortion debate.

First-term member for Mackay Nigel Dalton voted for a motion moved by the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP), in defiance of his party, the Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP).

KAP sought to overturn the ban on debate on abortion in Queensland Parliament that was put in by the LNP after the issue dogged its 2024 election campaign.

Mr Dalton did not say whether he had spoken to his party or the premier before the vote.

“I made a deeply personal decision, and I hope people respect that deeply personal decision,” he said.

The motion failed without the support of the government. 

Queensland mp nigel dalton

Nigel Dalton says the decision to vote against the LNP was “deeply personal”. (ABC News: Alex Brewster)

During the election campaign, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli repeatedly said there would be no changes to abortion laws.

He said Mr Dalton spoke to him on Monday and crossed the floor without his blessing.

“He came to see me, and he took a position, and he said it was deeply personal to him,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“And I reflected on what our commitment was to the people of Queensland and … we’ve honoured that position overwhelmingly today.”

‘Outstanding display of bravery’

KAP leader Robbie Katter said he had not spoken to Mr Dalton and was surprised by his decision.

“There was an extraordinary result, a very rare occurrence that I’ve seen in my 14 years of parliament, where someone crossed the floor,” he said.

“[It was] an outstanding display of bravery from an MP who followed his conscience.

“It’s fair to say there are certain members of the LNP who believed it was the right thing to do, to vote for that motion, and it didn’t happen.”

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair speaks at a press conference outside Queensland's parliament.

Shannon Fentiman says the premier is losing control of his MPs. (ABC News: Charlie Mclean, Chris Gillette)

Shadow Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said Mr Dalton’s move was just the “tip of the iceberg”.

“It’s really the beginning of the unravelling of David Crisafulli being able to control his MPs, who really have quite backward, outdated views when it comes to women and healthcare in this state,” she said.

“Labor also opposed the gag on the parliament discussing abortion because we believe that we should have the ability to continue to improve a woman’s right to seek reproductive health care.”