Marie Stopes Australia is the only national, independently accredited safe abortion, vasectomy and contraception provider helping women and men take full control of their reproductive lives.

Having cared for more than 600,000 Australians in the almost 20 years, they have led national sexual and reproductive health provision in this country. Thus filling the public funding shortfall in preventative family planning services and education.

In June 2021 it was announced in a statement, that it was forced to close the clinics due to the "impacts of COVID-19 and regional operating costs". After elaboration, it has essentially come down to the cost of rent at the Broadmeadow location, which could be rectified quite simply with a postcode change to a cheaper suburb. Echoing the sounds of a lazy excuse to close down essential services to women. 

The impacts of this closure to the Local and surrounding areas is of detrimental proportions with many individuals now facing uncertainty around their options of family planning and termination services. 

Women should not be put into a position where they may have to make rushed decisions or will find themselves unable to travel, with later gestations or having to negotiate their circumstances around other carer responsibilities. 

Telehealth is not a viable option for such sensitive situations and could be forcing women that may be in a DV relationship to be put in further danger. 

My aim is for the Health Minister, Marie Stopes CEO and our local Members to come together and strongly discuss the true viability of the Newcastle Clinic and whether it would actually be more appropriate to find a cheaper space to rent rather than closing down a VERY busy Newcastle Clinic. 

It is one thing to work towards decriminalising abortion in Australia, but how effective is that if there are no safe places for abortion to be accessed?