PM says Eric Abetz feels 'sheepish' after comments linking abortion and breast cancer

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Senator Eric Abetz is feeling “sheepish” after making comments asserting a link between abortion and breast cancer during a TV interview last night.

Appearing on The Project, Senator Abetz, the leader of the government in the upper house and Employment Minister, was asked if he believed the “factually incorrect” statement that abortion leads to breast cancer.

“I think the studies, and I think they date back from the 1950s, assert that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer,” he said.

Mr Abbott this afternoon confirmed the research had long been discredited.

“I’ve already had a conversation with Eric, I think he’s a little sheepish about it all and I don’t think you’ll find that kind of thing being said again,” he said.

Senator Abetz has since denied he believes there is a link between abortion and breast cancer, claiming he was cut off before he was able to make his full point.