Men’s Reproductive Rights—Where's the Election Frenzy?

By now, we’re all familiar with the political circus that surrounds women’s reproductive rights. From the floor of Parliament to church pulpits and online forums, everyone seems to have an opinion about what women should do with their bodies. But here’s a bit of irony: Can you think of one election—just one—where men’s reproductive rights were even on the table? Exactly.

The Gendered Politics of Reproductive Rights

The truth is, debates around reproductive healthcare are not just about health—they are deeply tied to power, control, and patriarchy. Women’s bodies are politicised in a way that men’s never are. In Australia, especially in Queensland at the moment, reproductive healthcare for women remains a battleground. Conservative forces, including Queensland’s Liberal National Party (LNP) and Katter’s Australian Party, have signalled potential rollbacks on abortion reforms.

Why does this matter? Because control over reproductive rights has long been a tool of conservative values. It’s not just about healthcare—it’s about dictating who gets to make decisions. And let’s face it: If men’s reproductive decisions were at stake, the political conversation would look very different.

Men’s Reproductive Age and Healthcare: The Great Silence

Let’s quantify things: Queensland, with a population of over 5.5 million, has approximately 1.5 million men of reproductive age (15-49 years). Yet, we’ve never heard political candidates debating access to vasectomies or contraceptives for men on the campaign trail. No parliamentary committees are investigating whether men have adequate access to reproductive healthcare. And there’s certainly no national conversation about regulating men’s choices around reproduction—no legislation requiring men to undergo counselling before a vasectomy, for example. Funny how that works, isn’t it?

The Economics of Reproductive Rights—A Female Burden

Women not only face cultural stigma but also bear a disproportionate financial burden. Abortion care in Australia remains expensive, with costs for medical abortions ranging from $350 to $600, and surgical procedures often exceeding $800. Unlike in Canada or the UK, where reproductive healthcare is freely accessible, many Australian women must travel to private clinics, incurring additional travel and accommodation expenses. This is especially true in rural Queensland, where abortion services are often out of reach, and the public healthcare system provides limited support.

Meanwhile, contraception also places a heavier financial load on women. Many long-acting contraceptives like IUDs are not fully subsidised, costing hundreds of dollars out of pocket. Imagine the uproar if men were expected to shoulder such costs for contraceptives.

The Hypocrisy in Healthcare Politics

Here’s the kicker: Men’s reproductive decisions—whether to become a parent or not—are rarely subjected to scrutiny. When was the last time a political leader proposed mandatory waiting periods for men requesting vasectomies? Or funding cuts to men’s sexual health clinics? Exactly. Yet women are routinely questioned, judged, and legislated over when they seek abortions.

This double standard highlights a deeper truth: Reproductive healthcare for women is controlled not to protect health but to maintain power dynamics. Even the healthcare providers who do offer abortion services face stigma, professional isolation, and backlash—particularly in rural areas, where conservative cultural norms dominate.

What Needs to Change: Advocacy with Teeth

It’s time for some real changes, starting with harmonised abortion laws across states and Medicare funding to ensure free reproductive healthcare, including abortion, for all women. We also need sustained public campaigns to normalise abortion care and fight stigma.

But let’s not stop there—how about politicians start talking about male reproductive health too? Let’s see some election platforms addressing access to vasectomies, male contraceptives, and reproductive education. Maybe even toss in a mandatory waiting period for good measure. After all, what’s fair is fair, right?

Until then, the fight for reproductive justice will remain, as always, a fight about power—one that women must continue to lead, even while the patriarchy pretends it’s just healthcare policy.