In November, it was announced that Melbourne abortion provider Hampton Park Women’s Health Care would begin operating out of Tasmania on a fortnightly basis from November 28. 

However, it has been revealed that this has not occurred.

The delay is due to an issue with capital works, Health Minister Michael Ferguson said on Sunday. 

“What’s actually happened is that Hampton Park Women’s Centre have set up an opportunity for a service here in Tasmania,” he said.

“They’ve hit a delay, and in the meantime other private hospital and the private gynecologists in Hobart have matched the price.”

He said abortions were being provided for the cost of $475 as promised, by alternative providers.

“In the meantime there are capital works occurring to allow the new provider from Hampton Park Women’s Centre to also provide a service in Hobart in the future,” he said. 

Ms Lovell said the matter should have been solved. 

“It’s been 12 months now that not only Labor, but a number of members of the community have been advocating for access to abortion in Tasmania across the state,” she said. 

“It is extraordinarily frustrating that we are still here, 12 months down the track, still advocating, when there are steps that the government could have taken to resolve this issue.”