16/10/2026
Open letter to the Victorian premier:
The Hon. Ben Carroll MP
Premier of Victoria
Level 1, 1 Treasury Place,
East Melbourne VIC 3002
October 15, 2026.
Dear Mr Carroll,
Re: Abortion is not ‘care’, either for the baby or for the mother
On behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, of which I am currently Moderator, I write today with profound dismay following this morning’s announcement concerning your government’s policy to fund abortions through the public purse, and to promote this as an advance in “women’s health”.
Members of our church, of course, believe that women should receive every proper provision for their health and well-being. And women who become pregnant deserve thoughtful, compassionate and practical support. That should be a given in any decent and caring society.
But what about the life of the unborn child?
There are two lives to consider: the well-being and health of the mother, and the developing life of the child within her womb. Why should the one be recognised and protected, while the other is disregarded, and disposed of in the medical waste bin?
We are speaking, after all, of a developing human life which, if pregnancy continues to birth, will ordinarily enter this world as a little girl or boy — with a life to live, birthdays to celebrate, and a future to unfold.
Surely that life deserves consideration, too?
I understand that governing Victoria is complex. There are countless competing demands upon a government, and I would never judge the record of a premier and his (or her) party by a single issue alone.
But the protection of women and the protection of unborn children are both profoundly precious to me. This conviction is the view of my church, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and of countless other Christians, Catholic and Protestant alike.
We believe that the deliberate taking of unborn human life is a grave moral wrong. And to have that practice further encouraged and funded by the State is deeply distressing.
I find it extraordinarily difficult to support a government that takes this position.
Who will speak for the unborn child, who has no voice, no vote, and no means of defence?
I would genuinely welcome your response.
With my prayer and best wishes, but with profound sadness over this announcement,
Rev Dr John P Wilson
Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Victoria,
PCV Assembly Hall,
156 Collins St,
Melbourne, VIC 3000
(This position has also been quickly endorsed by the Victorian Liberal party (who has also received a similar letter).
