A pledge to repeal abortion laws has been revised by a back-tracking crossbencher after the issue erupted ahead of the Queensland election.

Robbie Katter on Tuesday walked back on his controversial vow, saying he would actually be introducing a baby born alive protection bill if re-elected.

The Katter’s Australian Party leader created headlines barely two weeks ago by announcing he would introduce a private members bill to repeal abortion laws “quick as you like” after the election.

Amid the confusion, however, Premier Steven Miles declared on Tuesday that he still has opposition leader David Crisafulli in his sights on the issue, again calling on him to reveal his stance.

Abortion was decriminalised in Queensland in 2018 but became a hot button in the lead in to Saturday’s state election, placing enormous pressure on Mr Crisafulli.

The Liberal National Party leader repeatedly claimed abortion laws would not be changed throughout his campaign but could not explain how he would guarantee it.  

However, Mr Katter on Tuesday claimed what he was proposing was “not an abortion issue”, saying he would try to introduce a Babies Born Alive bill.

“If a baby, planned abortion, comes out with anything, a heartbeat and is probably going to struggle for life, they can give it some care and dignity,” he told Sky News.

“It’s a human rights issue, it’s not an abortion issue to me.

“That’s what we’re determined to put back in … I want to put that in first in the next parliament.”

Told about the Katter party’s shift, the premier maintained Labor’s pressure on Mr Crisafulli.

“The real question is, why is David Crisafulli hiding what he believes in when it comes to a woman’s right to choose?” he said.

“That is the real problem here. That is why women are concerned.”

Mr Crisafulli stuck to his mantra on Tuesday.

“The story keeps changing and the only consistency in all of it has been the LNP – we do not support changes to abortion in Queensland,” he said.

“Mr Katter is as inconsistent as the government of the day.”

Mr Miles said he would not support the Babies Born Alive bill, accusing the Katter party of grandstanding.

“I think he learned from his dad. They know how to do it,” he said, referring to the party leader’s father, colourful federal MP Bob Katter.

“This issue is too important, though, for stunts and for politics.”

Katter party Barron River candidate Ben Campbell had tried to clarify their abortion stance on Monday.

“We’re not saying you cannot get an abortion. That is not our policy,” he told reporters in far north Queensland.

“What we’re saying is … if an abortion fails and the baby comes out alive, that baby must be provided medical care.”

The Katter party has also pushed for the introduction of corporal punishment and Castle Law, the right for a resident to defend their property with lethal force.

Mr Campbell said canings were a suitable punishment for both child and adult offenders and “absolutely” backed Castle Law.

The Katter party in June tabled a petition with more than 40,000 signatures calling for Castle Law to be introduced.

However, its Castle Law bill was shelved after it was not brought forward for debate in the final sitting week of parliament.

This post was originally published on Michael West.