Victorian Labor promises free abortions as One Nation climbs in polls

The Labor government of Victoria, a state in south-eastern Australia, said on Thursday it would remove charges for abortion care if re-elected in November. Health minister Ingrid Stitt pledged A$30m over four years to cover out-of-pocket costs that can exceed $1,000. The pledge arrives as the right-wing One Nation party polls at about 20% of the primary vote and Labor, after 12 years in office, trails in surveys.

What the plan includes

Participating private providers would be paid to deliver medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks' gestation. Women would no longer pay for GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests or medication. Those in regional areas who travel long distances for care would be eligible for a subsidy.

The government would also extend access to medical abortion from nine to 10 weeks and commission a clinical review of whether it could safely be offered up to 12 weeks. At present, abortion in Victoria is available during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, and later with the agreement of two doctors.

Earlier steps and reactions

Under former premier Jacinta Allan and then health minister Mary-Anne Thomas, the state already set up 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs, a mobile clinic and a virtual women's health clinic. At a government symposium last year, cost was named as one of the biggest barriers to access.

Danielle Mazza of Monash University welcomed the plan, saying it would make Victoria the first Australian state with no out-of-pocket abortion costs; only the Australian Capital Territory currently offers free services. Crossbench MPs Rachel Payne and Georgie Purcell, along with Greens leader Ellen Sandell, said the issue had become an election tool and criticised how long the government took to act.

Liberal leader Jess Wilson has repeatedly ruled out changes to abortion laws under a Coalition government. One Nation's national platform pledges to roll back what it calls "brutal and extreme" abortion law.