Victoria to become first state to make abortions free as Coalition matches Labor election promise

{"# Coalition Commitment":"The Coalition government has confirmed it will match Labor’s commitment to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to 16 weeks’ gestation. This includes GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests, or medication, which can quickly add up to more than $1,000. The commitment means Victoria will become the first state in Australia to offer free universal access to abortion services, following the Australian Capital Territory which began covering out-of-pocket costs in 2023.","# Opposition Response":"Opposition leader Jess Wilson stated that the Liberals and Nationals will not allow Labor to play politics on this issue. She emphasized that the Coalition would expand the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme to cover travel and accommodation for women in regional Victoria who must travel long distances for abortion care.","# Labor's Position":"Labor’s health minister, Ingrid Stitt, announced the election commitment, stating that the Coalition would not extend access to medical abortion from nine to 10 weeks’ gestation or commission a clinical review into whether it could safely be offered at up to 12 weeks’ gestation. Currently, medical abortion is subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for use up to nine weeks but the World Health Organization’s guidance allows for up to 12."}