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Thursday, 10 May 2012
Page: 3098

Senator DI NATALE (Victoria) (12:13): I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 743 standing in my name and in the name of Senator Rhiannon. I also indicate that I will be adding the name of Senator Pratt to the motion.

Leave granted.

Senator DI NATALE: I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

   (a)    notes that:

      (i)   on 1 November 2010, $120.5 million was made available to improve choice and access to maternity services and for eligible midwives to work in private practice in Australia,

      (ii)   to provide greater access to maternity care provided by midwives, Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) benefits were made available for services provided by eligible midwives, and

      (iii)   eligible privately practicing midwives are not currently able to work to their full scope of practice and claim MBS and PBS because access and admitting rights to public hospitals have not been established by state and territory governments; and

   (b)   calls on the Minister for Health and Ageing to work with the Council of Australian Governments and Australian health ministers to:

      (i)   urge state and territory action on access and admitting rights to public hospitals for eligible privately practicing midwives,

      (ii)   investigate any further support necessary for privately practicing midwives to transition into private practice, to work to their full scope of practice and access MBS and PBS benefits, and

      (iii)   consult with stakeholders.

Question agreed to.