This question is around reproductive health issues; it's another one that overlaps. Reproductive health issues like menstruation and menopause have physically and mentally debilitating effects on women, on trans men and gender‑diverse people, and it impacts their ability to participate in the workforce and for some it leads to an early retirement with serious financial impacts.
Minister, I just wanted to touch on the Gender Budget Statement and obviously there's a large proportion of women in the Health workforce. You and I co‑hosted a forum on menopause and perimenopause - a good time to pause there, wasn't it? There's a significant concern for women in relation to having those benefits in the workplace and, clearly, Ms Haddad was talking about retention or work health and safety around issues. Having and retaining more staff rather than losing them would be of benefit. I was just wondering what sort of benefit you may see to having some sort of reproductive leave and recognition of that.
Today’s report released by Women’s Health Tasmania highlights the need for improved access to safe and affordable termination services in Tasmania.
I couldn't discern from your answer where that left the commitment to a stand-alone service.
The anti-abortion position of the Liberals is shown by their refusal to provide surgical termination procedures through the public hospital system.
The evidence of the past five years has persuaded me that this minister is not able to appreciate and to act in consultation with his hard-working staff.
The Fair Work dispute between Cricket Australia and an employee has again brought the Tasmanian abortion access crisis to national attention.
It is very clear that Tasmanian women who find themselves in that situation right now have extremely limited options.
Today is the day the Health minister is due to report back to Parliament on the availability of termination services for Tasmanian women.
Much has been said about why the minister has so far failed to act to ensure women can access this legal service in Tasmania.