WEL Budget 2025 Media Statement

Laying Foundations for Gender Equality; much more needed to reach the goal

WEL acknowledges that the Albanese Government has laid important foundations for advancing women’s economic and social equality, and their safety.

“WEL policies, for this Federal Election go well beyond the Government’s cautious approach,” said WEL National Convenor, Kay Anastassiadis.

Women’s Health

“We welcome the initiatives in women’s health with a funding package of $792.9 million over five years addressing women’s reproductive healthcare needs, including :new PBS Listings, larger Medicare payments  and more bulk billing,  eleven new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics (now totalling  44 specialist clinics) and contraceptives and treatments from pharmacists for uncomplicated UTIs. 

‘This is one of the largest ever investments in women’s reproductive health by a Federal Government   and we are pleased that the Opposition has indicated it will support the package’  said Ms Anastassiadis .

The Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) expanded scope of practice to relax conditions for GPs to prescribe (and Pharmacists  to supply)  the abortion drug MS2 Step and to enable prescription by  Nurse Practitioners and Midwives , will extend access to medical abortion.

On the other hand, Ms Anastassiadis expressed disappointment that the Government continues to avoid any leadership role  to guarantee Australia -wide access to surgical abortion in publicly funded health facilities.

‘Abortion is a common, safe and normal medical  procedure  which  should be available free through public health facilities, regardless of post code, as a matter of course. WEL Policy Women's Health and Reproductive Rights calls for free access to reproductive health care including abortion’.

‘We are  delighted  that the Budget commits to extending support for the First Nations led Birthing on Country programs, which provide wrap around care  and empower mothers. Birthing on Country makes real differences to  the health of First Nations babies.

‘We are pleased with the Budget’s support for new IVF and help with the tragedy of still birth.

The Budget makes no provision for improving Australia wide access to maternity care, especially in rural, regional and remote areas.  This is a significant absence.

‘Our 2025 election policy calls for ‘funding for  midwife led Continuity of Care through adjustment to the Medicare Benefits Schedule’ and ‘funding to ensure that women in rural and regional Australia have equal access to maternity care and choices for a safe birth, including an enhanced national roll out of Birthing on Country sites’.’

Early Childhood Education and Care- transformation urgently needed

The replacement of the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test from January, 2026 with at least three days of subsidised early childhood education and care each week for Child Care Subsidy eligible families was announced and is now funded in this Budget.

The Budget provides $416.6 bn  in funding to implement the Government’s already  legislated three day flat fee guarantee for all children, as well as funding over four years to support wage increases for the early childhood and care workforce.

The Government also takes a significant first step to tackle the crisis in childcare provision in rural and regional Australia with a direct investment of $5bn over five years to build more early childhood and education and care centres. This investment is in line with WEL Early Childhood and Education Policy.

There is no sign of moves towards the transformative changes that are necessary to introduce a truly universal system, including fee free provision, supply side funding with community and not for profit providers dominant and system support similar to that provided in public education and public health.

Ms Anastassiadis said she was disappointed that ‘the Opposition has so far opposed removal of the activity test and voted against  the Government’s legislation of the three day guarantee.”

Family Domestic and Sexual Violence: no additional funding

Funding for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence responses was  previously announced  but  there is no new funding and no further programs are proposed in this Budget.

The Government reaffirms its commitment in the Women’s Budget Statement 2025/26 to end gender-based violence with a renewal of the National Partnership Agreement to commence in July 1, 2025.

“Front-line service providers report that they continue to struggle to meet demand,” said Ms Anastassiadis. “This level of funding is just not adequate to meet all demands for the wrap-around services required.”

“There is no substantial increase in funding under this Agreement, nor in the National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness on which women’s refuges and domestic violence services depend to ensure that no woman and her children fleeing violence are turned away,” said Ms Anastassiadis.

A decent income for all is a long way off

“WEL accepts that many of the mainstream initiatives will assist women, but had hoped with many community sector organisations, for increases in income support payments for the most vulnerable. These payments are far below the poverty line and are inadequate to meet the costs of food, shelter and medical care,” stressed Ms Anastassiadis.

“In the current international context of instability and uncertainty, WEL sees that the Government has opted for a cautious approach leaving major reform of the country’s revenue base to another day. The Governments excellent goal for  gender equality in five years is unlikely without revenue for the bold initiatives to achieve it.’

WEL 2025 Federal Election Policy Platform - https://www.wel.org.au/2025_federal_election_policy_platform

Media Contact: National Coordinating Committee

Jozefa Sobski AM Mobile: 0403 895929

Kay Anastassiadis Mobile: 0413 619317