The response to my email to the Greens Party about outlawing homebirth . . . what the

[Persephone1]

I'd have to disagree - you should get a response to an email. It may be a letter in the mail, or it may be an email, but either way you should get a response. I've written to politicians before and they usually respond, even if it is to send a stock-standard media release with a letterhead on it.

I would also suggest emailing Sarah Hanson-Young, who is the Greens Senator who holds the portfolios for Women and Youth. She also has a young child, so would be a good 'pin-up' for the cause. Having said that, Rachel is really the person with the ideal portfolio, particularly as the Health portfolio also covers health insurance.

There's no harm in other people also emailing Rachel - the more interest she receives from people, the more she and the Greens will realise what an important issue it is. And, as a Greens member myself, I can hazard a guess that birth choices would fit right in with Green policies on self-determination and empowerment.

I also know that the Victorian Greens' Senate candidate for the 2010 federal election is Richard Di Natale, who is a(n ex) GP. Birth rights would fit right up his alley, so feel free to contact him as well...I reckon he'd be interested.

[Smoke Jaguar]

I've had responses to form letters straight from websites before that I've sent - the only time I get told I may have to wait or might not get a response is when I email Jason Wood and get told I have to put my address so that at least he'll answer constituents. Fair enough. The other people I emailed (two greens people and Nicola Roxon) haven't responded to my emails, but Woods did - nothing much in it except 'we'll see what happens', for all that was worth. I've received responses from others, though, without putting my full address in. I think they're thinking about their position because they probably never had one before and assumed homebirth is for whackos, or it's not as important as the Styx Valley or something (which I think requires protection myself, but there are other issues that affect our lives and human rights!).

[Persephone1]

The media may only show the Greens talking about the environment, but that is only a small part of their politics and policies. Human rights is a major part of Greens politics. Remember Tampa?

[Smoke Jaguar]

I know, Pers, I vote for them and bothered to email them (as opposed to my local Christian Democrat or whatever) That's why I was hoping they'd see this as a human rights issue and be right on it...so far, nothing, and I'm disappointed that it's my MP who responded, cos I very much didn't vote for him!

[danniellabella]

Maybe try sending what you wrote in the email in a normal letter and add that you sent this as an email almost a month ago and that you're quite dissappointed that you have not received a response.

[BellyBelly]

Greens will move to protect women’s right to choose safe homebirthShare
Today at 09:06
Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 31st July 2009

Greens will move to protect women’s right to choose safe homebirth

The Greens will move in the Senate to protect the rights of women to choose safe homebirths if the Government does not change its proposed legislation, Australian Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

The Greens will move amendments to legislation on midwife services when it comes into the Senate in the coming weeks to ensure that mothers continue to have the option of a homebirth with the assistance of a registered midwife, without incurring huge financial penalties.

"The Greens' amendments will allow private midwives to continue to provide safe, low risk homebirth services in full collaboration with obstetricians and other health services. The Government legislation as it stands will effectively make it illegal for a qualified midwife to attend a homebirth in Australia and imposes heavy financial penalties for the midwife," Senator Siewert said.

"This will be dangerous for mothers and babies. It flies in the face of international trends in maternity care and appears completely inconsistent with the Government’s stated policy of providing pregnant women with greater choice and less interventionist maternity care.”

"As it stands, the legislation will ostracise a vital part of our health provision in the community. Independent midwives are providing an outstanding service for mothers who choose to give birth to their baby at home. What this legislation will do is drive them underground - we’ll see a return to the dark days of unsupervised childbirth, malpractice and the appalling tragedies that will undoubtedly follow.”

The Greens broadly welcomed the Government's proposals to modernise maternity services.

"Including midwives in the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a significant step forward and we welcome the proposed Commonwealth-supported professional indemnity insurance (PII) scheme, but it must include all midwives and safe birthing options," Senator Siewert concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418 401 180


Tim Norton
Communications and Campaigns
Office of Rachel Siewert | Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia
Suite SG-113 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3741 | F: 02 6277 5762
Tim.Norton@aph.gov.au | M: 0418 401 180
Rachel Siewert | Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia | Greens MPs | Australian Greens Senators

[lilmisshavachat]

It's about time someone stood up to be counted in the political arena.. Thank you to the Greens and may commonsense prevail..