Northern Tasmanian women at 'disadvantage' in abortion system

The last dedicated provider of surgical abortions in Tasmania closed about December 2017. Since November 2018, women have been able to access surgical abortions through undisclosed private providers operating out of Hobart.

Women must be referred by their GP or Family Planning, the Women's Health Centre, St Paul Youth Services, or the Link Youth Health Services.

Mr Manen said the extra step of needing to book to get a referral, as well as needing to travel to access the service, put women outside of Hobart at a disadvantage.

Medical terminations are an option for women up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

"Most women have a very small window of opportunity by the time they identify their pregnancy to have that terminated [medically]," he said.

While, surgical terminations are legal up to 16 weeks of pregnancy.

"Women in both the north and the north-west of the state are disadvantaged by not being able to access this through the public hospital system, or providers within their area," he said.

"The fact is they have to get time off work, there's childcare involved, and there are issues if there are unexpected complications."

A spokesperson said the government was "committed to ensuring Tasmanian women are able to access the full range of women's health services".

"Low cost surgical terminations continue to be available in Tasmania, having been provided since 2018 through local specialists. Anybody needing to travel to access these services is able to be supported through the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme," they said.