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

Source: World news | The Guardian · Published: 15 October 2026

World news | The Guardian

Exclusive: Out-of-pocket costs for abortion care to be covered regardless of who wins November election as Jess Wilson says Liberals and Nationals ‘will not allow Labor to play politics on this issue’ Follow our Australian politics live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Victoria will become the first state in Australia to make access to abortion care free, no matter who wins the November election, with the Coalition matching Labor’s promise just hours after it was announced as it attempts to neutralise the issue.

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The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, on Thursday afternoon told Guardian Australia a Liberal National Coalition government would match Labor’s commitment to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to 16 weeks’ gestation. This would include GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests or medication, which can quickly add up to more than $1,000.

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

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