One Nation has proposed a $2,000 baby bonus for new parents in Victoria, emerging just a day after both the Labor and Liberal parties agreed to cover out-of-pocket expenses for abortion care. The deputy leader of One Nation in Victoria, Colleen Harkin, detailed the initiative on Friday, which aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women utilizing the public healthcare system alongside the $2,000 subsidy for those opting for private maternity care.
Harkin estimated the plan would total $136 million across four years, though she acknowledged the figure was an approximation reliant on annual birth rates. She noted that the party lacks access to detailed government data to finalize exact figures. Harkin also affirmed that One Nation would not alter existing abortion laws in Victoria, despite the federal party's national platform aiming to challenge current abortion regulations.
The policy rollout comes after Labor announced earlier in the week that a re-elected government would fund out-of-pocket abortion costs over four years, covering medical and surgical procedures up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. The Coalition quickly matched the opposition's commitment, ensuring bipartisan support for free reproductive healthcare services. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and community leaders have responded with mixed reactions to the unfolding electoral landscape regarding women's health policies.