Labor will always support and protect access to publicly funded abortions, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised in yet another pitch to the female vote.
In what are believed to be her most outspoken comments on the issue, Ms Gillard told a dinner held by the Australian Medical Association on Wednesday night that vigilance was required to "protect the progress we've made, particularly in women's health".
"Women must have the right to healthcare and women must have the right to choose," Ms Gillard said in the speech, unreported at the time.
"Whether it's the independence of the [Therapeutic Goods Administration's] decisions in regulating fertility treatments, whether it's allowing our foreign aid budget to include spending on family planning, whether it's supporting a woman's right to choose through Medicare-funded services, that's my commitment to Australian women as Prime Minister."
The speech fitted in with Ms Gillard's recent pitch to women through social media and a morning tea she held with some of the most influential bloggers and commentators on women's issues.
Advisers to the Prime Minister said the comments were part of a strategy to talk more about issues of importance to women, such as childcare, flexible working hours, the equal pay case and superannuation.
Childcare and the abolition of gender discrimination in the workplace were no longer seen as matters of interest only to female voters, one senior source said.
"Men in the outer suburbs would never say they're feminists but they would sign up for a feminist agenda," he said.
"There's a battler dad in the suburbs who thinks his daughter could be the CEO of a major company. Women's unequal access to various things is a matter of concern to all Australians. It's not a matter of whether you're for a feminist agenda but whether you're for a fair go for all."
The Gillard government has consistently pushed the line that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has a problem with women. They point to comments he made when he was health minister that abortion was a "tragedy" and his stripping of the ministerial veto over the so-called morning-after pill, RU486. Last year, Mr Abbott said if the Coalition was returned to government, he would not wind back abortion laws.
During the week, Ms Gillard hit back at a cartoonist and blogger Larry Pickering, whom she accused of running a "vile and sexist" campaign against her.
Abortion is a vexed issue for both major parties. Both have MPs who would like much tougher anti-abortion laws. There was significant upset on both sides when Labor unwound a Howard government directive that prevented foreign aid funding from being spent on family planning in developing countries.
While abortion law is a state matter, the Commonwealth is involved through Medicare rebates.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What did Prime Minister Julia Gillard say about access to publicly funded abortions?
Julia Gillard said Labor will always support and protect access to publicly funded abortions, committing to support a woman’s right to choose through Medicare-funded services as part of her stance on women’s health.
How does the government plan to protect women’s health and reproductive services?
Gillard outlined a commitment to protecting progress in women’s health by defending the independence of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) decisions on fertility treatments, including family planning in the foreign aid budget, and supporting Medicare-funded services for reproductive choices.
Why is abortion policy politically important and what does it mean for voters?
The article says the Gillard government is making abortion and broader women’s issues part of a strategy to appeal to female voters, arguing that issues like childcare, flexible work, equal pay and access to healthcare matter to all Australians—not just women.
If abortion law is a state matter, how can the Commonwealth influence access to abortion services?
Although abortion laws are set by states, the Commonwealth can influence access through federal levers such as Medicare rebates and funding arrangements, which can determine whether services are publicly funded.
What role does the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) play in reproductive health policy?
The TGA regulates fertility treatments and other health products; Gillard emphasised the importance of the TGA’s independence in decisions affecting reproductive and fertility treatment regulation.
How did changes to foreign aid funding for family planning become a controversial issue?
The government reversed a previous directive that prevented foreign aid funding from being spent on family planning in developing countries, which caused significant upset across the political spectrum, according to the article.
What disagreements exist within major parties about abortion policy?
The article notes both major parties have MPs who favour tougher anti-abortion laws. The Gillard government has contrasted its position with Opposition leader Tony Abbott’s past comments, though Abbott has said he would not roll back abortion laws if in government.
What should everyday investors watch for in response to the government’s focus on women’s health and related policies?
Everyday investors should monitor policy signals on Medicare funding, TGA regulation of fertility treatments, any changes to foreign aid family planning budgets, and reforms around childcare, flexible work, equal pay and superannuation—since these areas can influence demand for services and regulatory settings in the healthcare and workplace sectors.
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