Key facts
- Victoria will offer free universal access to abortion services up to 16 weeks' gestation.
- The Coalition will cover GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests, or medication.
- The Coalition will expand the patient transport assistance scheme for regional women.
- Labor's commitment to extend medical abortion access from nine to 10 weeks was not matched by the Coalition.
- One Nation has expressed a desire to make abortion a criminal offense.
Victoria is set to become the first state in Australia to offer free universal access to abortion services, with both major parties pledging to cover out-of-pocket costs. The Coalition announced on Thursday afternoon that it would match Labor's commitment to cover expenses for abortions up to 16 weeks' gestation, including consultations, scans, tests, and medication. This move aims to neutralize the issue ahead of the November election. The Coalition also promised to expand the patient transport assistance scheme for women in regional Victoria requiring travel for care. However, the Coalition would not match Labor's plan to extend medical abortion access from nine to 10 weeks' gestation or commission a review into offering it up to 12 weeks. Abortion was decriminalized in Victoria in 2008.