Fact check: In Australia, do women who have late term abortions qualify for a stillborn baby payment

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, women who have late-term abortions in Australia may indeed qualify for the Stillborn Baby Payment. The payment is a one-off, tax-free amount of $4,225.10 (with one source citing $4,225) available to eligible parents ^[1].

The key eligibility criteria for the Stillborn Baby Payment define stillbirth as a baby who had not breathed since delivery and had no heartbeat after birth, with a gestation period of at least 20 weeks or weighing at least 400 grams at birth ^[2]. Importantly, there appears to be no specific rule barring access to this payment following a late-term abortion ^[3].

The payment is subject to an income limit of $75,368.00 or less for the six months from the day of the child's delivery ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual elements:

• Pro-life advocacy groups have criticized this eligibility as a "horrific loophole" ^[3], suggesting significant controversy around this policy
• The payment was originally designed to support parents who have experienced stillbirth ^[3], not necessarily those who have chosen late-term abortion procedures
• There are emotional and psychological impacts on both women and healthcare providers involved in late-term abortion procedures ^[4]
• Some argue that this payment should not be available to women who have had late-term abortions, as it may be seen as incentivizing the procedure ^[3]

Different stakeholders benefit from different interpretations:

• Pro-choice advocates would benefit from maintaining broad eligibility criteria that don't distinguish between medical circumstances
• Pro-life groups would benefit from restricting access to prevent what they view as government support for abortion procedures
• Government agencies may benefit from maintaining simpler, less discriminatory eligibility criteria

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears factually neutral and does not contain obvious misinformation. However, it lacks important context about:

• The controversial nature of this eligibility ^[3]
• The original intent of the Stillborn Baby Payment program ^[3]
• The broader debate surrounding late-term abortion policies and their intersection with government benefits

The question could be interpreted as seeking to highlight a policy inconsistency or controversy, but the phrasing itself remains objective and factual.