Don't want to start a war-confused about Steve Fielding speaking at home birth rally

Hi all,

I saw on some of the reports and you tube that Family First Senator Steve Fielding addressed the home birth rally at Nicola Roxon's office this week.

I don't want to start a fight here or anything, but I am a bit confused.... Whilst I have read that he is supportive of home birth, generally he has a shocking record on a woman's right to choose a legal abortion and other feminist issues. I guess I'm surprised at what I thought was a largely progressive movement being associated with a very conservative politician.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Cheers,
Fiona

I think that any kind of single issue campaigning will attract people from disparate backgrounds. IMO it's always a good thing when people who are generally opposed to each other's POVs have to work together - leads to greater understanding and maybe more tolerance.

Fiona I personally am not surprised. Conservative politicians are usually supportive of anything that supports a woman fulfilling her "biological destiny" (ie: producing children). So, it follows that they would be pro-anything to do with women birthing how they like but against them wanting to end a pregnancy. It's all about letting women THINK that they are supported, but only supporting those women who conform to a narrowly prescribed definition of what being a woman means.

From what I have heard, the Liberal party is in support of homebirth as well and will be supportive of changes to the legislation to stop homebirth being made effectively illegal. I sort of feel like, while I don't really agree with Steve Fielding's views on many things, I am also not going to look a gift horse in the mouth - if he is offering his support to the cause, so be it - it can only be a good thing really.

While I hope its because he truly believes that woman should have the right to a medically supported home birth, I am a bit cynical... some politicians use controversial decisions by the party in power as a platform to get up there and go "see, you should have voted US in, we'd NEVER have done this..."

JMO anyway, like I said, I am a bit cynical about politicians...

:

---

From what I have heard, the Liberal party is in support of homebirth as well and will be supportive of changes to the legislation to stop homebirth being made effectively illegal.

---

I'm not so sure on the Liberal Party - Senator Nick Minchin, who is the Leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate said the below on the ABC program Q & A when he was on with Nicola Roxon...

"TONY JONES: Nick Minchin?

NICK MINCHIN: Look, on this subject I agree with Nicola. I think she's in the right space on this. I mean, my wife had our three children in hospital. I personally worry about home birthing. I think that's a very big decision to make and one that, you know, has real risks attached to it and I, frankly, personally, would encourage people to have their babies in hospitals with the proper medical care, and I sympathise with Nicola on this.

NICOLA ROXON: Tony, I think one of the real issues is if we don't find some other resolution, will it somehow drive home birthing underground and actually make it more dangerous.

NICK MINCHIN: Yeah."

Onya Nick, you dork.

I was mildy surprised to see Steve in the background too, thanks for explaining it Rory!

:

---

While I hope its because he truly believes that woman should have the right to a medically supported home birth, I am a bit cynical... some politicians use controversial decisions by the party in power as a platform to get up there and go "see, you should have voted US in, we'd NEVER have done this..."

---

Political point scoring...wouldn't put it past any of them. But if a politician supporting home birth helps to make it 'legitimate' then TBH I am not really bothered by what their motives are KWIM? We still get the desired result.

Steve Fielding is coincidentally about to oppose a lot of bills that with his opposition could lead to a double dissolution and will just about guarantee he gets in next time (knowing that under the current situation he's not going to be re-elected!).
However, good to get his support even though he doesn't have mine. He's got some stupid ideas about student 'unionism' (opposing fees because poor students can't afford it...though if they actually need a service it could cost them more without the compulsory fee!!).
Anyhoo - I'm impressed with how switched on he is about what's at stake. He asked some good questions a few weeks ago and his input actually makes sense.