Tasmania to get private abortion provider

A low-cost private surgical abortion provider is due to begin offering the procedure in Tasmania later this year.

Tasmanian women will be to access surgical abortions without travelling to the mainland, with a low-cost private provider to begin offering the procedure by October.

The announcement by the Hodgman government follows anger over the sacking of Angela Williamson by Cricket Australia after she tweeted criticisms of the Liberals' abortion policy, and the closure of the state's only private surgical abortion provider.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson says a patient transport and travel assistance scheme will be available for women needing to travel within Tasmania to have a surgical abortion.

The Liberal government previously ruled out funding the procedure through the public health system but offered assistance for women who needed to travel to the mainland for it.

Tasmania's only private surgical abortion provider closed late last year.

About 200 people rallied in Hobart on Sunday in support of Ms Williamson, who is taking Cricket Australia to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal.


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Source: AAP


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