One Nation's $2,000 Baby Subsidy Plan for Victorian Parents 2026

One Nation has proposed a $2,000 baby subsidy for new parents in Victoria, aiming to ease the financial burden of maternity care. The announcement comes just a day after Labor and the Liberal parties both agreed to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care in the state.

Details of the Proposed Baby Subsidy

The deputy leader of One Nation in Victoria, Colleen Harkin, unveiled the plan on Friday. It includes removing out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women in the public healthcare system and providing a $2,000 subsidy for those accessing private maternity care. Harkin estimated the cost at $136 million over four years but admitted it was a "ballpark" figure dependent on annual birth rates.

"We don't go hard on figures, because we actually don't have access to the detail of this stuff," Harkin told reporters. The proposal is part of One Nation's broader push to support families and address declining birth rates.

Abortion Laws Remain Untouched

Despite the federal party's national platform pledging to "seek every opportunity to roll back brutal and extreme abortion law," Harkin stated that One Nation "will not touch the abortion laws" in Victoria. "We have no state abortion policy because it is not our focus whatsoever," she said, accusing the Labor party of "lying" and "engaging with really cheap American-style scaremongering."

On Thursday, Labor announced that, if re-elected in November, it would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortion care, costing $30 million over four years. Labor claimed One Nation could use abortion as a negotiating chip with the Coalition in a hung parliament.

Comparing the Policies

Key Takeaways

• One Nation proposes a $2,000 baby subsidy for Victorian parents.
• The plan includes removing out-of-pocket costs for public maternity care.
• One Nation pledges not to alter Victoria's abortion laws.
• Labor plans to eliminate out-of-pocket abortion costs if re-elected.
• The subsidy is estimated to cost $136 million over four years.

Implications for Victorian Families

If implemented, the baby subsidy could provide significant relief for families facing the rising costs of raising a child. The average cost of maternity care in Victoria varies, but out-of-pocket expenses can run into thousands of dollars. The subsidy aims to encourage more parents to consider private care without financial strain.

However, critics argue that the lack of detailed costing and the potential for political maneuvering could undermine the plan's effectiveness. The debate over abortion laws also adds a layer of complexity, with Labor accusing One Nation of hidden agendas.

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