Labor’s failure on maternity care puts Victorian mothers and babies at risk

14^th November 2025

Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier and Shadow Assistant Minister for Health Annabelle Cleeland say the newly released Victorian Maternity Taskforce Report is proof that Labor’s neglect of Victoria’s maternity services has created a statewide health crisis.

The Taskforce was established only after years of mounting failures across the system, with the government forced to respond to growing concern from clinicians, boards and communities about unsafe staffing levels, closed maternity units and inconsistent care.

Ms Crozier said the report lays bare the consequences of a government that has ignored warning after warning.

“It confirms what families, clinicians and regional communities have been saying for years – maternity care in Victoria is under strain, unsafe, and deeply unequal.

“Under Labor, we’ve seen a steady decline in maternity services, with hospitals forced to close birthing wards, staff burning out, and women giving birth before reaching hospital, Ms Crozier said.”

The report highlights that regional and rural hospitals have been left without the workforce or resources to keep birthing services open.

Ms Cleeland said it points to an alarming increase in “births before arrival”, particularly in regional Victoria – a direct result of Labor’s failure to maintain safe and local care.

Ms Cleeland said Benalla Hospital’s maternity unit remains closed, forcing expectant mothers to travel long distances to give birth, often in distressing circumstances.

“Benalla’s closure is not an isolated case – it’s the canary in the coal mine for regional maternity care,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Families are being put at risk because this government refuses to invest in the basics. When women are giving birth in cars on the way to hospital, it’s clear the system is failing them.”

The Taskforce found critical workforce shortages and inconsistent clinical guidelines across hospitals contributed to poorer outcomes for Victorian mothers and babies.

The Liberals and Nationals are calling for immediate action to restore local maternity services, rebuild the regional workforce, and put accountability back into Victoria’s maternity system.

“Every family deserves the right to safe, local maternity care,” Ms Crozier said.