The poll of 2,010 Australians, conducted by Redbridge, reveals that 62% of Australians support access to abortion services. A further 25% support access in limited circumstances.
Nationally, fewer than one in ten One Nation voters (9%) oppose abortion access completely, despite the party's policy to wind back access to services.
Australians living in rural areas overwhelmingly support abortion access (66%).
Key findings:
- 62% of voters support access to abortion services. A further 25% support access to abortion services "only in limited circumstances".
- 50% of One Nation voters support abortion access. 34% support access in "only in limited circumstances".
- Support for abortion access is strongest in rural Australia, where 66% say yes, and a further 24% say they support access "only in limited circumstances."
- Just 8% of Australians do not support access to abortion. 5% say they're not sure.
"Abortion is legal across Australia and this research shows a majority of Australians support access to abortion, whether they live in cities or country towns, or where they sit on the political spectrum," said Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of The Australia Institute.
"South Australians head to the polls this Saturday, with widespread predictions that One Nation will record a strong result. Our research shows that any party or candidate with a policy to wind back access to this vital medical service for women is likely out of step with voters on this issue, regardless of which party they are running for.
"People who live in rural Australia are the most likely to support access to abortion. Perhaps because people in rural Australia understand the difficulties and risks in not being able to access the healthcare they need. When access to abortion is restricted, banned, or otherwise unavailable, women die, or their health suffers.
"Our research shows that support for a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions is widely shared amongst Australians from across the political spectrum."
