The Liberals have put at risk the Rudd Government's landmark reforms for the nursing and midwifery workforce by refusing to indicate the opposition will support the bill before the Parliament.

In a contribution of 30 minutes, the Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing couldn't bring himself to support these important reforms that will improve choice and support for thousands of families in our community.

Today's display by the Shadow Minister is another example in the long line of his inability to support important reforms in the health system. These landmark changes for nurses and midwives will give them access to the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time. These changes will provide all Australians with greater choice about their healthcare via improved access to the skilled services of nurses and midwives.

This legislation is a key plank of the government's $120.5 million maternity reform package, improving the choices for Australian women in accessing high quality, safe maternity care, as well as providing support for the maternity services workforce.

On the separate issue of Registration and Accreditation that is causing concern for those in the community that support homebirths, I have said that I am exploring this further but that is not part of these bills being debated today.

There is now only one clear question for the Shadow Minister - does he want the Government to withdraw this legislation?

If so, he must come clean today and tell the hundreds of thousand of nurses and midwifes that you don't want to see these historic reforms progressed.

This legislation is another example of how the Rudd Government is strengthening our health system after years of neglect and buck passing by the former Howard Government.

Source
Australia Nursing Federation