Opposition leader Jess Wilson told Guardian Australia a Coalition government would match Labor's commitment to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to 16 weeks' gestation, including GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests and medication, which can quickly add up to more than $1,000.
The Coalition would also expand the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme so women in regional Victoria who must travel long distances for abortion care would be eligible for subsidised travel and accommodation.
Victoria's move follows the Australian Capital Territory, which began covering out-of-pocket costs in 2023 as the first Australian jurisdiction to offer free universal access to abortions.
"The Liberals and Nationals will not allow Labor to play politics on this issue," Wilson said. "Labor has had 12 years to improve access to healthcare but are instead choosing to play politics."
However, the Coalition would not match Labor's commitment to extend access to medical abortion from nine to 10 weeks' gestation, or its plan to commission a clinical review into whether it could safely be offered at up to 12 weeks. Medical abortion is currently subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for use up to nine weeks, while World Health Organization guidance allows for up to 12.
Labor's health minister, Ingrid Stitt, said when announcing the commitment: "Only Labor will protect a woman's right to choose." Her statement suggested One Nation could use abortion as a negotiating chip with the Coalition in the event of a hung parliament, noting the party wants to make abortion a criminal offence. Wilson again ruled out changes to abortion laws under a Coalition government.