Coalition woos single women with cash for egg freezing
After a women-focused budget, the Coalition is eyeing more female voters with $2000 egg freezing discounts on offer if the government is reflected in March. Will it win you over?
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WOMEN who freeze their eggs to improve their chances of having a baby will get $2000 to help with the expensive treatment if the Perrottet government is re-elected.
The election pledge is a $4m expansion of the $80m IVF rebates program and will likely woo single female voters who are the more common demographic to use egg freezing.
A total of 14,000 women will be able to use the fertility rebates — including for egg freezing.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the initiative will support women looking to have children later in life.
“This is all about giving women more choice and taking some of the stress away from undergoing fertility treatments,” Mr Kean said.
“With one egg freezing cycle costing up to $10,000, this rebate will help thousands of women choose what is best for them.
Women’s Minister Bronnie Taylor said more than a thousand women undergo egg freezing each year in NSW and she hoped the commitment would encourage the federal government to invest in the area.
“Navigating the journey to parenthood can be a stressful experience but this rebate will help remove the financial hurdles,” Ms Taylor said.
“We hope these new egg freezing rebates set a precedent for further Commonwealth investment in women’s health and fertility treatments.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this will ensure more women will have a choice in their fertility — regardless of their financial circumstances.
“While no-one can guarantee that fertility preservation treatments will lead to pregnancy, if you and your doctors decide that egg freezing is a safe, effective and appropriate option for you, then the Government will help relieve the financial stress that it incurs,” Mr Hazzard said.
More Coverage
Join the conversation
Here you go, PM! AFP warrant outlines keys to caravan ‘terror plot’ investigation
The AFP search warrant central to the Dural caravan investigation can be revealed, as pressure continues to pile on the prime minister about when he was briefed on the “terror plot”.
Read more
Man helped cut victim’s ear off before neighbour knocked out
A Central Coast man who held a pair of pliers to a man’s ear while his co-accused cut it with a knife causing a bloody mess then knocked out the victim’s neighbour.
Read more