I'm not 100% sure what the situation is right now, I think it's still technically under review (?) but I think that independent midwives will be required to form cooperative relationships with obstetricians in order to offer home births (know any OBs who would support a home birth...?) and the requirement to have insurance (which no insurer offers) will come in from 2012 (?).
There are still hospital-based & state-funded HB programs in some areas which will still be available. The AMA and FRANZCOG are working very hard to get homebirths banned, yes. It's very disappointing.