Critics remain as clinic restart set

A NEW private provider for lowcost surgical abortions in Tasmania is on track to start by October, but critics say it’s not soon enough.

The service would begin within weeks, and the Patient Transport and Travel Assistance Scheme would be available for intrastate travel to it, the State Government announced yesterday.

The department also would provide increased funding to Prescribed Health Services and Pregnancy Counselling and Support Tasmania to ensure longstanding arrangements to support women continued.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the new abortion service was in line with the recommendations of the Department of Health report on the provision of surgical terminations in Tasmania.”

“The provider has stated an intention to give other service providers and GPs detailed information on the new service well before commencement,” he said.

The news came as a rally on the Parliament lawns in Hobart drew dozens of supporters of Angela Williamson, the former Cricket Tasmania employee who is suing for wrongful dismissal over social media posts critical of the State Government and calling for better access to affordable abortion in Tasmania.

Tasmania’s only dedicated abotion clinic closed in Hobart last year.

The Liberals have ruled out funding surgical abortions through the State health system and have offered assistance for women to travel interstate for the procedure.

Labor spokesperson Jo Siejka said at yesterday’s Not Ovaryacting rally that a solution should have been found earlier.

“It’s really not soon enough,” Ms Siejka said. “October is quite a long way. That’s quite a lot of women that might need to access [before then].”

Not Overyacting activist Jess Ferguson said more details were required.

“The ‘ low-cost’ is quite concerning. We don’t know what that exactly means. It’s still a private provider and it’s still only in Hobart,” Ms Ferguson said.

“We need statewide access through the public health system which is … affordable.”

Ms Siejka said Ms Williamson had her full support.

“For somebody to have lost their job to have raised that matter is quite ridiculous,” she said.