About one in three Australian women live in regions where no local GP provides medical abortion, while many public hospitals that provide maternity and women’s health services do not provide abortion care.
These significant barriers to abortion access have driven 40 of the country’s health and medical organisations, including the ANMF, to today call on all candidates and political parties running at next month’s federal election to reveal to voters where they stand on supporting and strengthening this essential healthcare.
According to the peak bodies, despite healthcare playing a major role in election commitments, abortion has largely remained absent from the national conversation.
While abortion is legal across all states and territories, barriers to access still exist, the peaks argue, signifying the importance of including it in reproductive health investments. This will also lead to reduced stigma.
The joint statement includes five key asks to strengthen access to abortion:
- Demonstrating national leadership to affirm abortion as essential healthcare
- Ensuring the Medicare Benefits Schedule includes appropriate remuneration for healthcare providers to deliver affordable care
- Supporting workforce capacity building by working with medical and professional colleges providing sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare training
- Ensuring public hospitals provide abortion care as part of standard, comprehensive reproductive health services
- Working with state and territory governments to implement all 36 recommendations from the Senate Inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said Australian women have a right to know which federal candidates will commit to improving women’s access to abortion.
“Already, the Albanese Government has committed to a landmark, $500 million women’s health package for cheaper and more equitable access to contraception, endometriosis and menopause treatments – and we need better access to abortion to be included in ongoing investments in women’s health,” Ms Butler said.
“We believe it’s crucial that women across Australia have access to abortion as essential healthcare.”
Sally Hasler, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health Victoria, said abortion should be available to anyone who needs it.
“We know that abortion continues to be stigmatised and this leads to significant barriers to access – especially if you are on a low income, or live in a regional area. In Victoria alone, around two-thirds of local government areas have no surgical abortion providers.”
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