Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Amendment Bill 2024. It sounds technical, but it is incredibly important to women in their birthing choices. Equitable access to midwifery services is an important step in ensuring Australia's maternal healthcare system meets the needs of expectant new mothers.

This bill represents an important step forward, addressing critical gaps in care and providing necessary support to the vital work of midwives, who are essential to achieving better outcomes for both mothers and babies. The current scheme provides indemnity coverage for antenatal and postnatal care, but excludes intrapartum services provided by privately practising midwives outside of a hospital setting. This bill closes that gap, ensuring that government will cover 100 per cent of eligible claims for these services, no matter where the birth takes place. This change is a win for midwives and mothers alike, enhancing the safety and accessibility of birthing options across the country.

I commend the minister for her commitment to improving maternal care and listening to community concerns. The decision to remove the term 'low risk' from this legislation is particularly significant. It ensures that all women, regardless of how their pregnancy or birth is classified, have access to the support they need. This change promotes equity, providing women with greater autonomy and choice in how and where they give birth, as well as recognising the role of midwifery care in all aspects of maternal health.

Midwives play an invaluable role in supporting women throughout their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. In fact, research from the Australian College of Midwives consistently shows that continuity of care with a known midwife improves the outcomes for mothers and babies, including reducing the need for medical interventions. Midwives not only ensure safe and positive birthing experiences but also provide vital postnatal care, including screenings for mental health concerns and domestic violence. They have that access to new mothers and are able to discuss any concerns and identify problems.

Tragically—it's quite an incredible statistic—suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for postnatal mothers. It makes the ability of midwives to give that continuity of postpartum care so incredibly important. These services are critical for the wellbeing of new mothers. They put midwives in the position and with the ability, to identify and have discussions if there are concerns from a domestic violence point of view. We know statistically this is the time when women are often most at risk because there's been such change to the relationship, so it is vital for mothers to have access to that care.

I also very much want to thank the minister for her engagement on the issue. Earlier this year, Assistant Minister Kearney visited Warringah to announce additional funding to support midwives in providing longer postnatal consultations. Again, that is really important because the longer consultation allows for that discussion to identify all those risk factors around domestic violence or the mental health of mothers. Those consultations allow time for comprehensive birth debriefings and mental health screenings, which are so essential for early intervention.

These were key changes that I, like many others, advocated for alongside the Australian College of Midwives, who have worked tirelessly to bring about these changes. I commend them for their hard work. This bill presents the next step in improving accessibility to midwives for young mothers.

As we move forward, we must remain focused on addressing broader systemic challenges, though, particularly improving health outcomes for First Nations women. We know that unfortunately the statistics are not good and there is not equitable access to health care. This bill will help provided greater access to birthing-on-country programs which assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to give birth in a more culturally safe way, surrounded by family and community. The research indicates that this is important. Birthing on country provides better mental health outcomes, strong connection to cultural heritage and improved physical outcomes for mothers and babies. Again, those longer consultation times mean those screening factors can be present all the more.

In fact, Charles Darwin University's Indigenous Birthing in an Urban Setting study, to help close the gap in Brisbane, found that birthing on country reduced First Nation preterm births from 14.3 per cent to 8.9 per cent. That is a significant improvement. It shows the importance of creating and maintaining a maternal care system where women have greater choice, respect and support. Women must be at the centre of the system. The absolute priority must be greater options and choices in where birth can take place, how it can take place and especially that it be culturally appropriate.

This bill brings us closer to achieving that vision. I commend the minister for her leadership in this area.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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