‘We must be alert to complacency’: inside Victoria’s push to extend abortion access

A ground-breaking symposium in Melbourne highlighted how Victoria’s already progressive abortion laws still face significant hurdles. Despite 17% of GPs offering medical abortions, many women are forced to travel long distances or face high costs—rising to $1,000 or more for some procedures. Structural barriers like unresponsive hospitals and conscientious objection laws slow access further, while affordability remains a critical barrier for low-income callers. The event emphasized the need for systemic change, including national funding and centralized data collection, inspired by models from the UK and Ireland.