Controversial midwives laws pass Senate

Midwives will be able to provide Medicare-funded care for the first time under a
dramatic but controversial reform passed by parliament.
Coalition senators - previously opposed to changes for fear it would drive
homebirthing underground - lay down their opposition on Tuesday to allow the draft
laws to pass.

But while the government was lauding the backflip as a major coup, homebirthing
advocates were still venting their fury at the laws they say strip expectant mums of
basic rights.
Under the new laws, a national register will be set up for midwives, who will
require indemnity insurance before being signed up - insurance hasn't been available
to midwives since 2001.
The government has promised to provide support for indemnity insurance, and offered
a two-year buffer for those having trouble finding a provider.
But it fails to provide for midwives offering homebirths - they won't be able to
access the commonwealth's insurance support.
The new regulatory framework includes a request for midwives to form a collaborative
relationship with doctors, requiring their sign-off to access Medicare insurance and
pharmaceutical benefits.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the laws were a vital reform, but also used the
opportunity to criticise the coalition's long-standing opposition to the changes.
"Finally, finally, they have conceded that this is an important and historic
occasion for nurses and midwives and will be welcomed," she told parliament.
"It reflects exactly the same approach taken by the opposition to the problems that
were raised with this shortage of doctors."
The federal government has previously taken aim at the coalition for its
obstructionist methods, estimated to have blocked 41 bills in the past year.
Liberal senator Ian Mcdonald admitted the opposition was conceding ground.
"The coalition has determined that the legislation is perhaps better than nothing,"
he said.
But non-government senators were adamant their continued opposition had forced the
government to improve what was flawed legislation.
And there was still a lot left to be desired, with doctors effectively gifted a veto
over midwives, the Australian Greens' Rachel Siewert said.
"While that may not be the government's intention, that is exactly what is going to
happen," the senator said.
Homebirths Australia's Justine Caines said doctors were typically opposed to
midwifery and midwives stood to be employed "to do (doctors') lackey work".
"Nicola Roxon is really trying to straddle the professional turf war here between
doctors and midwives," she told AAP.
"That's bitterly disappointing, rather than saying Australian women are the most
important part of this equation.
"We've been very much short changed."
The Australian College of Midwives said the changes signalled a significant step
forward, but called on the government to ensure midwives offering homebirths can
also be insured.
"We need to sort it out," the college's president Jenny Gamble said.