Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Giving birth at home may not be the choice of all women, but for those who choose to, we must preserve this accessibility and support midwives who provide this valuable service. The proposed Commonwealth insurance product for home births is a significant step forward, but it needs to safeguard the continuity of midwifery care, provide informed choice for women and be cost effective. The lack of community consultation prior to developing this proposed product has caused much angst among women and the midwives who support them. The product references the Australian College of Midwives' consultation and referral guidelines, but it fails to protect the woman's right to informed decision-making and to receive continuity of care by her endorsed midwife. The guidelines state:

… regardless of the level of consultation and/or referral, the midwife will continue to provide midwifery care with the woman in partnership and collaboration with the woman herself, and the medical practitioner …

The product must also protect existing arrangements that allow the second attendant at a home birth not to be an endorsed midwife, ensuring that women in regional areas continue to have access to this birthing option. We can't afford any unintended consequences with this product. The government must get it right.