One Nation proposes $2,000 baby subsidy in Victoria but says it won’t touch state abortion laws
News Source
•Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:03:45 GMT
📰 What Happened
One Nation in Victoria has proposed a $2,000 baby bonus for new parents. Deputy leader Colleen Harkin said out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women in public hospitals would also be removed. She put the cost at $136m over four years. Harkin said One Nation has no state abortion policy and that it is not their focus.
🔍 The Backstory
The plan came one day after Labor and the Liberals both promised to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care. That would make Victoria the first state to provide free abortions. One Nation's federal platform wants to roll back abortion laws, so critics say the baby plan is a reply to the abortion promise. No other party would comment on the plan.
🎯 Why It Matters
Having a baby can cost families a lot of money. Election promises like these could change what Victorian parents actually pay.
One Nation in Victoria has proposed a $2,000 baby bonus for new parents. Deputy leader Colleen Harkin said out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women in public hospitals would also be removed. She put the cost at $136m over four years. Harkin said One Nation has no state abortion policy and that it is not their focus.
The plan came one day after Labor and the Liberals both promised to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care. That would make Victoria the first state to provide free abortions. One Nation's federal platform wants to roll back abortion laws, so critics say the baby plan is a reply to the abortion promise. No other party would comment on the plan.
Having a baby can cost families a lot of money. Election promises like these could change what Victorian parents actually pay.