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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 2919 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

available if a particular choice is taken. I do not believe that the appropriate approach with this Bill is to say that it is black and white. This is predominantly an information Bill, Mr Speaker. As we heard in the presentation speech and as we have heard all the way through, this is a Bill about providing information to women and to ensure that informed choice is possible. Mr Speaker, as you have heard already, I believe that informed choice is possible only with a full range of information.

One thing that I am likely to get into all sort of trouble for is what I am about to say. I do not believe that the information package provided by the Family Planning Clinic at the moment gives a full range of information. I think it provides very good information for somebody who has decided to have a termination, but what about for somebody who has not decided?

Mr Quinlan: That could be fixed. You do not need legislation for that.

MS CARNELL: Yes, it could be fixed, but in debating this legislation here today I think that is important. I think it is important to do what people who are trying to look at this Bill in black and white have not done. I do not in any way criticise the Family Planning Clinic. Their role is to provide information for women who have made an appointment to have a termination.

The information package that we were all sent by Reproductive Healthcare Services is very good. The brochure on patient information has sections entitled "General Information", "What Does an Appointment Involve?", "Can Someone Come with Me?", "What Does the Operation Involve?", "Cost", "What should I bring?" and "Transport". That is very sensible for somebody who has made an appointment.

The next one, "Termination of Pregnancy - Possible After Effects & Complications", is quite a good brochure also. I am not sure that it is totally comprehensive but it is a good brochure. It talks about the possible after-effects of the operation - drowsiness, pain, nausea. It also talks about complications that might occur and what you should do about them. The next brochure gives information about the anaesthetic you will have with your termination. This is also a good brochure. It talks about anaesthesia, about the risks of anaesthesia and about preparing yourself for anaesthesia.

The "Termination of Pregnancy - Client Information" brochure has sections entitled "The Abortion Procedure", "At the Clinic" and "After Your Operation". It also tells people to remember to confirm their appointment the day before the operation and not to eat or drink before the operation. It also says, "You must bring your Medicare card with you". That is all good information. The brochure "Termination of Pregnancy - Post Operative Instructions" gives good information on how to look after yourself following the operation. There is also an information brochure for general practitioners, but that is not given to patients. The package also contains a form for giving consent to surgery. You need to consent to any medical treatment. Also included is a form on which patients going to the clinic can give information about themselves. A lot of the information that would be required in this Bill is already being collected.

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