Federal MP Bob Katter has refused to give his position on abortion, saying the media was trying to paint his party as a bunch of "extremists" like Pauline Hanson.

Suspended Katter's Australian Party (KAP) member Bernard Gaynor called on Mr Katter to campaign against abortion today.



The KAP doesn't take a position on the issue, believing it's a matter of conscience for individual party members.



But Mr Gaynor issued a statement saying Mr Katter had "a moral obligation to protect life".



"It is the right thing to do," it said.



"Bob Katter will be asked, one way or the other now, about his position on abortion."



But when Mr Katter was asked by AAP for his own position, he became irate.



"We are sick and tired of you people trying to paint us as some sort of extremist organisation," he yelled down the phone.



"You're just trying to do to us what you did to Pauline Hanson.



"We spend none of our time talking about any of these things, and that's all you ever talk about.



"No wonder this country is the way that it is when we've got a journalistic cadre that can't think beyond this sort of extraordinary business."

Democratic Labor Party (DLP) Senator John Madigan will use a speech to the Sydney Institute tonight to provoke debate about abortion and criticise politicians he accuses of not following their conscience on the issue.

"There is a small cohort of members and senators who, when put to the test, will claim they are pro-life," Senator Madigan will tell the event, titled Integrity in Politics.

"Unfortunately, they rarely introduce adequate legislation and secretly wish it would not raise its ugly head."

Senator Madigan's strongly anti-abortion stance might gain added weight if, as speculation suggests, he ends up sharing the balance of power in the Senate after the September federal election.

Suspended Katter Party Senate candidate Bernard Gaynor used social media today to support Senator Madigan.

He challenged politicians, including former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd and his own party leader Bob Katter, to disclose their views.

"Will any ALP/LNP/KAP pollies open up on their positions re: abortion like DLP?" Mr Gaynor tweeted.

"Does KRuddMP have a view on abortion?"

"Will TonyAbbottMHR support anti-abortion campaign?

"Will RealBobKatter back DLP senator on anti-abortion campaign?".

Mr Gaynor's KAP Senate candidacy (for Queensland) was suspended after he said in January that he wouldn't allow gay teachers to educate his children.

But his party membership has not been revoked, and Mr Gaynor is fighting his suspension.

Mr Abbott has previously said he believes abortion should be safe, legal and rare.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard last year said Labor would always support and protect access to publicly funded abortions.



Originally published as Pro-lifer puts abortion on agenda