Two weeks until the Canberra Rally - action to take in the meantime

[Kazbah]

Today I emailed my federal member, I didn't see this until after. But I put in a few stats and stuff. Will be interesting to see if I get a reply other than the out-of-office proforma.

[Kazbah]

Ok. Got a response.

Thought I'd post what I wrote to him.

I would like to encourage you to support the choice of women - not just in La Trobe - but Australia wide, in the options available for birthing their children. If we look at the stats, the current mortality rate for newborns is 0.34% for homebirths, and 0% for mothers. Given that currently trained midwives are available to assist in homebirths, women who need medical aid are transferred to hospital prior to problems - in fact, there's a 7% "elective" cesarean rate. This shows the current system is working, that trained midwives are encouraging the best care for the mother & child. By putting your support behind the bill to be debated on September 7, you are robbing women of the choice to birth safely. There is no doubt this will lead to the dangerous practice known as "freebirth" with higher mortality rates. Not only will supporting the choice of women to birth at home safely save lives, but it will also reduce some of the stress on our hospital system. For a condition - not a disease - there's a lot of beds full in hospitals such as William Angliss in Ferntree Gully which could be better used by those with medical conditions. Let's look at William Angliss - the birthing centre. Women are wanting to replicate a homebirth with the reassurance of medical aid close by - so important in our electorate so spread out across the mountains - and are booking into the birth centre as soon as they find out they are pregnant, and even then missing out. Please, listen to those who voted for you. Let their voices be heard on September 7. Thanks, Karyn.

[Smoke Jaguar]

I got a response from him a little while ago and it seemed like he was willing to support a minority choice at the time...we'll see!
I've also written to James Merlino to voice my alienation about Victoria not wanting to be part of the 'state palm-off' that some of the senators were trying to do in the hearings. He was one who put in his conscience vote against abortion...so we'll see if he 'does a Fielding' on the homebirth sicho.
I reckon I'll write to Jason again with another angle from my last letter. There's quite a few homebirthers in his electorate, so he'd better take note!
Good letter, Kaz

[Kazbah]

heheehe, I've replied to him asking if he'd like to meet myself and other constituents of his at Canberra on Sept 7 ...

Thanks M.