The push is on to free up access to abortion in Australia, with the country’s biggest provider calling for nurses to prescribe medical abortion and a pledge by one jurisdiction to make all terminations free for residents.

In contrast with the US, where the recent Roe v Wade reversal removed women’s constitutional right to termination, advocates in Australia are trying to facilitate access to abortions, particularly in rural areas.

The ACT Government yesterday committed to providing free medical and surgical terminations up to 16 weeks’ gestation to all residents — including those with no Medicare card — from the middle of next year.

Patients would also be offered free long-acting reversible contraceptives at the time of abortion.