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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 2929 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

For many women who feel the decision to terminate a pregnancy is straight forward the role of the counsellor is to provide support and information. Other women experience an unintended pregnancy as a life crisis and require additional support. Some women may request counselling to facilitate the decision-making process.

(Extension of time granted) It is clear that to legislate a standard set, or suite as Mrs Carnell called it, of information for all women is inappropriate. The philosophy of counselling adopted by the APFA is quite clear. It has to be flexible to suit the needs and lifestyles of various women. I read on. Paragraph 1.3 states:

Counselling is recognised as an integral part of abortion service provision. Different models of counselling have been identified as necessary to meeting the varied needs of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy. For those women who feel comfortable with their decision `intake interviews' are usually sufficient for the client's needs. These sessions require the counsellor to give information regarding the procedure, risks and expected outcomes, clarifying any unresolved issues in relation to the decision, emotional preparation for the procedure and contraceptive review if appropriate.

Again, that is a flexible approach, an approach suitable to an individual woman's needs. Listen to this:

Decision-making counselling or post-operative counselling require a higher level of intervention. These sessions involve increased therapeutic and interpersonal skills on behalf of the counsellor in order to assist the client with the process of resolving the various issues in relation to the decision and/or her experience and circumstances.

This is not the picture that has been painted for us in this debate. The picture that has been painted for us by those who oppose the imposition of this suite of information is that a few sheets of paper are handed to women as they walk in the door and that is the end of it. That is not true, and it is disingenuous of those who have put that view to this Assembly. That is why we need more time to think about this. What you are proposing has a very shallow base.

Mr Speaker, there are other issues which of course are important in dealing with this matter. Let me go to the questions which were put to us by Ms Tucker. When Ms Tucker circulated these around the chamber herself I thought it was cheeky but a good idea, but I wonder how many would respond. Mr Kaine responded by saying that he did not think it was his job to respond to all these questions. I think I probably agree. It may not be but it certainly is the job of the chief law officer, it certainly is the job of the Minister for Health and it certainly is the job of our only woman on the Executive to respond to these questions.

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