Victoria to become first state to make abortions free as Coalition matches Labor election promise
Summary
Victoria will become the first Australian state to make abortion care free for everyone, regardless of who wins the upcoming election. Both the current Labor government and the opposition Coalition have promised to cover the costs of abortion services up to 16 weeks of pregnancy.Key Facts
- Victoria will provide free abortion care, including doctor visits, scans, tests, and medication up to 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- The Coalition agreed to match Labor’s promise to cover abortion costs shortly after it was announced.
- Women in regional Victoria who must travel for abortion care will get help with travel and accommodation costs.
- Labor wants to allow medical abortion up to 10 weeks and possibly review extending it to 12 weeks, but the Coalition does not support this.
- Medical abortion is currently covered up to nine weeks by Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
- Abortion was decriminalised in Victoria in 2008; termination is allowed up to 24 weeks and later with two doctors’ approval.
- Labor accuses One Nation of wanting to make abortion illegal, but the Coalition says it will not change abortion laws.
- Opposition leader Jess Wilson said abortion is a personal choice and promised no changes to current laws if the Coalition wins.
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