Greens Propose Free Contraceptives in Australia

The Greens party in Australia has announced a commitment to provide free contraceptives for women to alleviate financial barriers to reproductive health, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Senator Larissa Waters emphasized that the policy would save the approximately 4.8 million women using contraceptives hundreds of dollars annually and includes eliminating the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment, subsidizing non-PBS listed contraceptives, and covering IUD insertion costs. The initiative aims to ensure equitable access to contraception, regardless of financial status or location. Citing successful models from countries like France and the UK, Waters stated that free contraceptives can lead to fewer unintended pregnancies and better reproductive choices. The policy also proposes a new Medicare item for contraceptive counselling, addressing gaps highlighted in a previous Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare. This proposal comes at a crucial time as reproductive rights face potential threats, underscoring the need for reliable contraceptive access.