Victoria is poised to become the first state in Australia to provide free access to abortion care, regardless of the outcome of the November election. The Liberal National Coalition announced on Thursday that it would match Labor's earlier pledge to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion services.
Opposition leader Jess Wilson stated that a Coalition government would ensure free abortion care up to 16 weeks' gestation. This would encompass various expenses, including GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests, and medication, which can exceed $1,000.
The Coalition also intends to extend the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme. This expansion would make women in regional Victoria, who travel long distances for abortion care, eligible for subsidised travel and accommodation.
However, the Victorian opposition will not match Labor's commitment to extend access to medical abortion from nine to 10 weeks' gestation, nor its plan for a clinical review into offering it safely up to 12 weeks' gestation.