The Coalition’s Election Position on Abortion Policy
Over the past month, Cherish Life has written to Coalition candidates across Queensland, inviting them to personally respond to two critical questions regarding the rights of unborn and newborn children:
- Do you oppose third-trimester abortion (after 22 weeks’ gestation up to birth)?
- Do you believe that children born alive following an abortion procedure should be legally entitled to medical care and not left to die?
While we commend those individual coalition candidates who did respond with a clear and affirmative “Yes” to both questions, it is deeply regrettable that the majority have declined to engage directly. Instead, most have referred us to a generic party statement, reproduced below:
“The Coalition supports the current arrangements and is not proposing any changes on this issue. The delivery of specific pregnancy termination services is a state and territory responsibility and the Australian Government has no constitutional powers in this area. The laws relating to pregnancy termination vary by jurisdiction.”
Cherish Life Response
At first glance, this statement appears to be a neutral affirmation of state boundaries. However, a closer reading reveals a narrative that downplays the federal government’s role in shaping abortion access and therefore evades engagement with one of the most pressing ethical issues of all time – the slaughter of Australia’s unborn children.
While it is technically correct that abortion legislation falls within state jurisdiction, it is misleading to imply that the federal government has no role or responsibility in the matter. In fact, the federal government retains significant influence over abortion access through a variety of mechanisms:
Funding and Medicare Subsidies
The federal government administers Medicare, which currently subsidises abortion procedures—including the MS-2 Step chemical abortion regime. This means Australian taxpayer funds are being used to underwrite abortion services nationwide. Marie Stopes International, Australia’s largest abortion provider, in 2024 alone, had a revenue of over $44 million dollars. The federal government could instead remove or restrict these subsidies and redirect funding toward life-affirming healthcare.[i]
Regulation of Abortion Drugs
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is a federal body, oversees the approval and regulation of pharmaceutical products—including mifepristone and misoprostol, the drugs used in medical abortions.[ii] Federal MP’s have the power to review the approval process for these drugs and mandate stronger safety protocols, especially for remote prescriptions.
Foreign Aid and International Policy
Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the federal government administers Australia’s foreign aid programs.[iii] This includes funding for “reproductive health” services, which encompasses abortion provision through organisations such as MSI (Marie Stopes) International. Federal government can seek to cease funding for abortion providers abroad and support maternal and infant health initiatives that respect life in Australia.
National Moral Leadership and Legislative Advocacy
Though the states manage criminal law, federal leadership sets the national tone. Members of Parliament and Senators can initiate Senate inquiries and sponsor motions that influence public debate.
Support for Alternatives to Abortion
The federal government can—and should—invest in a comprehensive support network for women facing unplanned pregnancies. This includes increasing funding for, pregnancy support centres, parenting and prenatal programs, adoption services and post-abortion counselling. Such initiatives would provide meaningful choices and uphold the dignity of both mother and child.
National Standards on Abortion Data and Reporting
Australia has no nationally coordinated system for reporting abortion statistics—a glaring gap in public health accountability. The federal government could, mandate the collection and publication of abortion data.
In conclusion, while it is true that abortion laws are enacted by state governments, the federal government is far from powerless in shaping abortion policy in Australia and it is at best naïve for parties and candidates to not be aware of these measures and at worst dismissive to those who value the lives of the unborn to suggest there is nothing to be done at a federal level with regards to the issue of abortion.
[i] Children by Choice. “Abortion and Medicare”, Accessed 14 April, 2025. https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/organisational-information/legislation/606-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[ii] Therapeutic Goods Administration. “Registration of medicines for the medical termination of early pregnancy”, Accessed 14 April, 2025. https://www.tga.gov.au/registration-medicines-medical-termination-early-pregnancy?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[iii] Australia Government: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “Advancing sexual and reproductive health in Southeast Asia”, Accessed 14 April, 2025.https://www.dfat.gov.au/news/media-release/advancing-sexual-and-reproductive-health-southeast-asia?utm_source=chatgpt.com