SIMON Corbell says the patient privacy zone around the health facility at 1 Moore Street in Civic will be extended to provide further protection for women accessing legal medical treatments.

“This extension will be effective as of tomorrow and will now include any areas accessible by the public in 1 Moore Street, the surrounding blocks and sections, as well as the roads and road related areas within the zone,” Simon said.

“The protest-free zone was introduced in March as part of the ACT Government’s commitment to ensuring women can access the medical services they require without being forced to endure harassment, intimidation or the judgement of others.

“Unfortunately, since it was introduced, we have seen anti abortion protests continue on the fringes of the zone, but still within line of site for people accessing treatment. To ensure the privacy and safety of women and that protestors are no longer within line of sight of the entrances to health facility at 1 Moore Street, the government has chosen to extend the protest-free zone.

“The extended zone will now include Rudd Street, West Row and the alley way of Odgers Lane. It will also include the surrounding roads and road related areas, such as footpaths, gutters, outdoor areas and other areas underneath a building’s facade.

“Protesting or behaviour that increases emotional distress or may prevent women from accessing legal and medically recognised health procedures is prohibited within the defined protest-free zone between 7am and 6pm on business days to align with the opening hours of the facility.

“The extended protest-free zone has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders, such as the ACT Human Rights Commission and ACT Policing, to ensure we strike the right balance between protecting a woman’s right to access safe and legal health care and the rights of protesters.

“From tomorrow, if an individual is found protesting within the new area, ACT Health’s security personnel will notify them about the extension of the protest-free zone and ask them to leave. If the person chooses to remain, ACT Policing will be notified and penalties may apply,” Mr Corbell said.

Information about the extended protest-free zone, including a new map, is available on the ACT Health website at: health.act.gov.au.
The Health (Patient Privacy) Amendment Act 2015 is available at: legislation.act.gov.au.