Australians overwhelmingly back abortion access, but the politics are getting more toxic

Wed 24 Jun 2026 17.10 AEST

Health

Australians overwhelmingly back abortion access, but the politics are getting more toxic

AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Australians overwhelmingly support access to abortion care – but there’s a resurgence in anti-abortion politics underway.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis and Hamdi Jama join Ebony Bennett to discuss the resurgence of anti-abortion politics in Australia, failed legislation in South Australia seeking to restrict late-term abortion, and the influence of far-right politics in the United States and United Kingdom on Australia.

This episode was recorded on Friday 19 June.

Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute

Guest: Hamdi Jama, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the Australia Institute

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Show notes:

Abortion Access in South Australia by Hamdi Jama and Ebony Bennett, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

Overwhelming support for abortion access, despite election rhetoric: new poll, the Australia Institute (March 2026)

Saving women? Spare me. This is hatred of women at its heart by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (June 2026)

Don’t be fooled, there’s nothing ‘reasonable’ about these rebooted abortion battles by Amy Remeikis, The Point (June 2026)

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts says he will push for party to adopt blanket abortion ban by Tory Shepherd, Guardian Australia (June 2026)

Image of ‘twin babies’ used by anti-abortion activist appears to show sugar gliders by Tory Shepherd, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

One Nation’s anti‑abortion turn shows MAGA’s creeping power in Australia by Prudence Flowers, The Conversation (June 2026)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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