Australia Might Respect Women After All
December 17, 2009 · By Jonathan McLeod
After working hard to imperil the lives of women and babies, it seems that the government of Australia might do the reasonable thing and not force midwives and homebirths underground. It’s kind of sad that we have to commend a nation for not outlawing (essentially) a basic human function and basic human freedom. (For background see here and here.)
Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding has welcomed the decision by the Health Minister to back down on its controversial plan to drive homebirths underground.
Under the Government’s original proposal, homebirths were to become illegal unless a midwife could find a doctor willing to work in collaboration with them.
But now the government says it won’t force midwives to work in formal collaborative arrangements with doctors as a condition of insurance.
Congratulations, Australia. You’re not governed by ghouls.
Cooler minds appear to be prevailing in the land down under.
You’re right, Mark. This whole thing started with a confluence of legislative initiatives that had the effect of outlawing homebirth and midwives, but it wasn’t the original intent. It’s good to see politicians stepping back and correcting their mistake.