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Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn dumped from party after anti-abortion comments

Holly HalesNCA NewsWire
The party of Menzies is no more, Mr Finn says. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Camera IconThe party of Menzies is no more, Mr Finn says. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

Controversial Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn has been dumped from the party.

The expulsion follows a motion to oust Mr Finn on Tuesday that was triggered by a series of anti-abortion comments on social media.

It marks the end of almost four decades as a Liberal for Mr Finn.

Party leader Matthew Guy said the move was about being “a sensible alternative government”.

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“It is disappointing that it has come to this, but I expect discipline from all members of the parliamentary party and I expect people to uphold respectful discourse,” he said.

BERNIE FINN BOOTED
Camera IconVictorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn has been dumped from the party after a series of anti-abortion comments Party. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Finn’s ousting was indicative of how “bitterly divided” the Victorian Opposition was.

“It’s entirely a matter for them,” he said.

“I’ll leave them to be bitterly divided while we get on as a government and deliver for the people of our great state.”

Mr Finn said he was undecided about whether to join a fringe party or potentially retire once his term in the upper house ends.

“I joined the Liberal Party over 41 years ago. I was 19 years of age. I joined the Liberal Party because it was the party of freedom,” he said.

“The party of Menzies is no more – not in Victoria. It used to be the jewel in the Liberal crown, here in Victoria, but it doesn’t exist anymore.

“The party of Bolte, the party of Kennett, (is) gone. It doesn’t exist anymore.”

Mr Finn he believes he has “done nothing wrong”.

Earlier this month, Mr Finn told his Facebook followers he was “praying” for abortion to be banned in Victoria, including in instances of rape.

BERNIE FINN BOOTED
Camera IconMr Finn says he has done nothing wrong. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia
BERNIE FINN BOOTED
Camera IconThe party of Menzies is no more, Mr Finn says. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

“So excited the US is on the verge of a major breakthrough to civilisation,” he wrote in reference to the Roe v Wade lawsuit that led the led to legalised abortion potentially being overturned in the US.

“Praying it will come here too. Killing babies is criminal.”

He doubled down on this stance on Monday, telling 3AW that rapists who made their victims pregnant should be killed before the woman involved is offered an abortion.

“I don’t believe any child should be punished for the crimes of its parent. If you want to kill someone in this situation, kill the rapist,” he told 3AW.

“I’m hoping that Roe v Wade is overturned, which is a position I’ve held forever and that killing babies is criminal. This is something I’ve been talking about for decades.”

Originally published as Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn dumped from party after anti-abortion comments

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