Victoria will make abortion care free regardless of who wins the election
Victoria will become the first Australian state to make abortion care free. Both major parties matched the commitment hours apart.
Victoria's Labor government announced it will cover out-of-pocket costs of abortion care up to 16 weeks' gestation. The coverage includes GP visits, scans, tests and medication that can total more than $1,000.
The Coalition opposition matched the commitment hours later. The Coalition said it would not let the issue become a political tool.
Labor and the Coalition both promised to fund GP and specialist consultations. Labor also pledged to extend medical abortion access from nine to ten weeks' gestation.
Labor also pledged to request a review into 12-week access. The Coalition did not match that extension.
Victoria will become the first state in Australia to offer free universal abortion access. The ACT already covered out-of-pocket costs from 2023.
- Up to 16 weeks gestation
- Cost coverage
- More than $1,000
- Out-of-pocket cap
- From 9 to 10 weeks
- Medical abortion extension
- ACT from 2023
- Previous free access
Why it mattersFree abortion care removes a significant money barrier to reproductive healthcare. This affects affordability for women across Victoria.
AustraliaVictorian women will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for abortion care regardless of which party wins the November election, making Victoria the first state with universal free access.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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