Strong support for Cricket Australia worker sacked over tweets about abortion services

THE woman who is fighting Cricket Australia for sacking her over her social media comments about abortion says she has been buoyed by a wave of national and international support.

THE woman who is fighting Cricket Australia for sacking her over her social media comments about abortion says she has been buoyed by a wave of national and international support.

Former government relations adviser Angela Williamson was dismissed by the sporting organisation over social media comments she made after being forced to travel to Melbourne to seek an abortion.

After going public about her legal action to get her job back, Ms Williamson’s story was picked up by scores of international news outlets including the New York Times, the BBC, ESPN, and the Guardian.

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Anti-bullying campaigner Monica Lewinsky retweeted a reporters’ observation: “Men can lie, cheat, be involved in sex scandals, assault their partners and still keep their jobs, for women it’s one abortion, a few tweets and you’re done. WTF.”

And a rally titled “Not Ovary Acting: Stand with Angela” is being organised for Parliament Lawns this Sunday.

Ms Williamson said she had been deluged by messages of support.

“Seeing the overwhelming support in Tasmania, in Australia, and overseas I think has really made me stop questioning myself and stop doubting myself and I think that’s been really important,” she said.

“People questioning the severity of the outcome, the decision made, is also comforting because it doesn’t sit well with me and it feels like there’s a great groundswell behind me.”

Angela Williamson was dismissed from her position at Cricket Australia and is taking legal action on the grounds of unfair dismissal. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Ms Williamson was forced to travel to Melbourne to seek a surgical abortion this year after the state’s last private provider closed and the Government failed to step in to provide the service in public hospitals.

But her online campaign for better access to abortion in Tasmania attracted a trolling attack from a government staffer — who resigned after being caught — and later resulted in her sacking by Cricket Australia.

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On Tuesday Premier Will Hodgman said his inquiries had cleared the Government of anything to do with Ms Williamson’s sacking.

Ms Williamson said she hoped that was the case.

“I really hope the Government weren’t behind it … I think that would be really sad and really unfortunate but I do know that there were conversations and that in the end my job was terminated.”

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She has started action before the Fair Work Commission, claiming she was unfairly dismissed.

An online petition she has started seeking accessible and affordable abortions for Tasmanian woman has attracted more than 20,000 signatures in just over 24 hours.

She said she was encouraged that the topic of surgical terminations and abortion was being discussed.

“I’m really disappointed that it came to me losing my job to have this discussion but I’m really proud that we’re having it in a really sensible way.”

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Ms Williamson said she had not heard from Cricket Australia nor the State Government since her story was made public.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said claims of interference by the Tasmanian Government needed to be investigated.

“Women in Tasmania do not have access to the same medical resources that women on the mainland have, this is wrong, and it just shows you the Liberal Party don’t get health care,” he said.

Mr Hodgman said the state had an Integrity Commission to investigate such complaints.

Former senator Jacqui Lambie said it was appalling that it was so difficult for women to access affordable abortions.

“If Michael Ferguson isn't feeling shame from the rest of the nation this morning, then God forbid, get rid of him. What a disgrace, what an absolute disgrace,” she told Triple M radio.

“After my second child I fell pregnant and I had to take that option so, for me, I’m sitting here this morning feeling quite upset about it. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life.”