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Federal Minister calls on State Government to indemnify family planning clinics

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, has called on the New South Wales Government to offer the Family Planning Association professional indemnity insurance.

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31 May 2002

Federal Minister calls on State Government to indemnify family planning clinics

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, has called on the New South Wales Government to offer the Family Planning Association professional indemnity insurance.

She said the Family Planning Associations in Victoria and South Australia were indemnified by their respective State governments.

The Family Planning Health clinics have been forced to close today in New South Wales because they have not been able to find a commercial insurer to offer them professional indemnity insurance.

Senator Patterson said: "It is very unfortunate that the Family Planning Association in NSW has been caught up the broader problems being experienced with professional indemnity. "My Department was only advised of the problems with the Family Planning Association on Tuesday, has been trying to help to find alternative insurance arrangements.

"However, with such short notice it has been difficult. The office of the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan, has also been helping with trying to find an overseas insurance company to provide professional indemnity coverage.

"The Federal Government is committed to working with the State government and the Family Planning to find a solution.

"I call on the State government to consider a similar arrangement that operates in both Victoria and South Australia. In those States the Family Planning Associations operate under indemnity offered by their respective State governments."

Media Contact: Randal Markey, Minister's Media Adviser, 0417 694 520