Eight years after the decriminalisation of surgical terminations in Tasmania, the Gutwein Liberal Government has placed yet another obstacle in the way of access by deeming only 'vulnerable' women can qualify in the state's hospitals.
Shadow Minister for Women Michelle O'Byrne said the government needed to clarify if the Tasmanian Health Service had imposed another threshold for access to surgical abortion, after effectively denying public access for the past seven years.
"Eight years ago abortion was decriminalised in this state and the intent was to ensure public access without the fear of criminal action," Ms O'Byrne said.
"But more than seven years ago when the Liberals assumed office, access to legal terminations was blocked.
"The former failed Health Minister Michael Ferguson actively denied public access, with no dedicated plan of action to provide services when the state's termination private clinics closed and access was subsequently ignored by his successor, Sarah Courtney.
"This year Health Minister Rockliff announced public access and this was welcomed.
"But now reports from the state's public hospitals indicate some barriers are still in place.
"Minister Rockliff needs to clarify if any hospital has placed limits on access and made the procedure available only to those patients deemed to be 'vulnerable'.
"What are the conditions that meet those thresholds?
"Have any Tasmanian women been denied access to a surgical termination or had their request delayed, due to not being 'vulnerable' enough?
"Who is deemed to be 'vulnerable' and what is the criteria for being deemed 'vulnerable'.
"The fact is termination is legal in Tasmania. The fact is this government has thrown obstacle after obstacle in the way of access.
"Mr Rockliff needs to answer these questions and show he is good at his word that public access is readily available."
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Women
