Australia views itself as a leader in reproductive rights. In truth, we’re struggling to catch up

In America, the fate of the abortion drug mifepristone is currently hanging in the balance. Following the fall of Roe v Wade — the decision that guaranteed abortion rights across the US — the Supreme Court is now considering whether to uphold the ruling of a Texas judge to revoke the pill’s approval by the Food and Drug Administration, which dates back to 2000.

Australians may shake their heads at the demise of Roe v Wade, but nonetheless, through a combination of complacency and political cowardice, we have failed to properly secure reproductive rights at home.