Sharryn Jackson (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Commonwealth had not intended that this new product would be feasible or affordable if it included homebirthing. I know this causes significant and wide concern among some people, but we know that the minister is working hard on this issue, through her department and with the states and territories, to bring about a result which will see that professional indemnity cover eventually applied to midwives and homebirths.

I note the comments from members opposite, who held government for 12 long years and, in all that time, did nothing about the professional recognition or training of nurse practitioners—and I caution the member for Bowman in that regard. These are progressive pieces of legislation welcomed by professional nurse practitioners around Australia. I congratulate the minister on her legislation.

Debate (on motion by Mr Kerr) adjourned.

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