By Kath Gelber
HOBART - Women who can afford it go to private hospitals. If you don't have that much money, you can pay to fly to Melbourne. If you're even poorer, you have the choice of going through the public hospital system - which requires signed statements from two psychiatrists - or continuing the pregnancy.
No matter which way you look at it, access to abortion is restricted and difficult in Tasmania. Women here are meeting and discussing the need for a public awareness campaign on the issue.
Tasmania's laws on abortion are actually the same as in other states that have free-standing clinics (clinics which operate independently of the hospital system and are run by supportive staff with expertise in terminations). But the law here is interpreted strictly, limiting the availability of abortions.
The Royal Hobart Hospital has a policy of providing terminations only to those with "appropriate" grounds and who have certification from two psychiatrists that continuation of the pregnancy would be extremely damaging to the woman's mental health or stability.
In Tasmania there have been no test cases of the limits of the law, as there have been in other states. This highlights the need for full decriminalisation of abortion. While access depends on the interpretation of a vaguely worded law, it can easily be attacked or eroded.
Law reform also presents difficulties. For example, in South Australia, the law allows access to abortion but limits terminations to the public hospital system. Drawbacks of this include services being provided by possibly unsympathetic staff, or pressure being brought on staff by "Right to Lifers" not to work in that ward.
Many politicians in Tasmania have been unwilling to take on what is seen as a "sensitive" issue - even though public opinion polls regularly show around 70% support for access to terminations. The ALP has for years avoided taking a stand by allowing its members a "conscience vote".
The conscience vote is now becoming an issue within the green movement. The Denison Greens have written a conscience vote into their constitution. Some of the green independent MP are known not to be in favour of access to abortion on demand.
Women in Tasmania have a right to access to terminations, and a right to demand better services for all women - rich or poor.