Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
Today’s report released by Women’s Health Tasmania highlights the need for improved access to safe and affordable termination services in Tasmania.
Dr Lucy Mercer-Mapstone’s report, ‘Talking to people about terminations of pregnancy in Tasmania’ provides critical insight into the experiences of those seeking to end a pregnancy. While the harsh, ideological Ferguson-era in reproductive health might be over, things drastically need to improve.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff must implement the report’s recommendations as a matter of priority. Time delays really matter to those going through unwanted pregnancies and making what can be extraordinarily difficult personal choices.
This report shows it’s difficult to find out how to get a termination in Tasmania, that processes to access one are fragmented and unclear, and there is insufficient aftercare available.
It also found a concerning degree of stigma associated with accessing a termination. Alarmingly, that included a feeling of judgement or dismissal by healthcare practitioners, and discrimination against LGBTQI people.
The Liberal Government has dragged its feet for years, because of their own infighting. As a result Tasmania is way behind on this basic healthcare service.
These troubling findings describe a health system still failing on reproductive health.