On 28 September 2022, the Senate referred an inquiry into the universal access to reproductive healthcare to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 March 2023. On 28 November 2022, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until Thursday, 11 May 2023. On 9 May 2023, the Senate granted a further extension of time for reporting until Thursday, 25 May 2023.

Further detail about the scope of the inquiry is provided in the terms of reference.

Submissions are sought by 15 December 2022.

Coordinated campaigns and form letters

The committee has received a large volume of material associated with two coordinated campaigns, including from a third-party coordinated campaign and the Australian Christian Lobby, as well as three form letters from Fair Agenda, Surrogacy Australia and Cherish Life.

Correspondence associated with the campaigns and form letters either note that they do not support abortion services, or that they do support abortion services.
In light of the similarities of the views expressed in the campaigns and the form letters, the committee has agreed to publish a sample of each of the campaigns and form letters along with the key topics raised by individuals and the number of emails received in respect of each campaign.

The committee will also be providing details of each of the campaigns and form letters in its final report.

The committee thanks all individuals and organisations that have contributed to this important inquiry.