PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
Fo~ r Media 9 November 1984
Tasmanian Women's Information Service
The Federal Government will establish a Women's
Information Service in Tasmania rDext year.
The Service will have a dual function.-to provide women
with information about Federal Government policies,
programs and services and to give the Government
feedback about what women in Tasmania wamnt.
The Women's Information Service of Tasmania is being
established in response to the clear need for such a
corvioo, ahown by the response from TaRMAni~ n wnmen tn
the Federal Government's Women's Telephone Information
Service. This Service operated in Hobart for eight
months earlier this year under the Community Employment
Program.
Tasmania is the only State where women do not have an
accessible information service or consultative body
which responds to the ~ views and needs of women.
Despite specific assurances from the Premier, Mr Robin
Gray# to set up three regional women's advisory councils
throughout the State# he has failed to make good his
Vzum16v&. He has also abolished the State's only
women's advisory position, leaving women in Tasmania
with less access to Government than women in any other
Australian State. The lack of action from the Tasmanian
Government has meant' that, women in Tasmania have often
felt Isolated and powerless to make their needs known at
a level where help can be effectively.. provided.
The Women's Information Service Is expected to open in
mid 1985. It will be located irn Hobart. A van will be
provided for staff members to travel regularly to
Launceston and other regiont no women throughout
Tasmania can have access to the Service.
The Women's Information Service will be one of two
' outposts' of the Off ice of the Status of Women within
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The
other service, established In April this year# is in
Brisbane.