I always thought the Green party was in favour of life, fecundity, getting back to nature, banishing machines and industry and establishing an idyllic Shire on Earth full of peace-loving Hobbits; possibly with a little nudism thrown in on the side.

Apparently not: it is actually the party of death.

The Australian Greens have urged federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to intervene in Queensland’s abortion debate.

Queensland cabinet amended the state’s Criminal Code on Monday to protect doctors prescribing abortion drugs.

The move came after public hospitals, concerned about a coming court case in which a young couple has been charged in relation to a medical abortion, suspended the procedure.

Despite the amendments, hospitals are reportedly refusing to resume terminations and are sending patients interstate to receive them.

Medical abortions are still technically illegal under Queensland criminal law.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Ms Roxon to convene an emergency meeting of all state and territory health ministers and attorneys-general to address the issue.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Ms Roxon to convene an emergency meeting of all state and territory health ministers and attorneys-general to address the issue.

“The commonwealth has a responsibility to help resolve this legal confusion,” she said on Saturday.

“Women should have the right to access the health services they need, and to be able to make safe, legal choices.”