Hello to Justine and colleagues - Thank God you are there doing what you are doing!!!! We need political activists with "savvy" to advance this extraordinarily important cause.... We are not all good at the same things and play our parts accordingly (eg. Tina Pettigrew, Vicki Chan, Jan Robinson etc). I, for one, am Sooooo glad you are at the "political coalface" 'cos it's not my area. Keep letting us know how we can help, and keep up the good work. We WILL win for women eventually! Best wishes, Lois Wattis ----- Original Message ----- From: Justine Caines <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: OzMid List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 3:15 PM Subject: Re: Political Action is Imperative NOW!!!
Hi Denise I am attaching an old message (so the list is up to date on what's been going on federally, sorry to some individuals who have already seen it) I agree with asking for specifics not just acknowledgement of a model of care etc. I do think there is still a LOT of work to do with Labor, Jenny Macklin certainly wasn't interested in making it an election issue (even though it would make great in roads to curtain the outrageous rates of intervention and there associated costs). I know Carmen Lawrence is supportive but in the event of a fed Labor Gov we will still have to push hard - they are still so scared of rocking the AMA boat!!! I think the national body (that Barb Vernon suggests) is imperative for the on going campaign and esp direct lobbying. Anyway the old message follows FYI. The group was represented by Maternity Coalition ACMI Homebirth Access Sydney and Sally Tracy as our amazing "brain" or 'nerd' - in her words!!! Justine Caines _____________________________________________ Yesterday we (26 September) (Barb Vernon, myself, Emma Baldock ,Sally Tracy and Kate Mc Maugh) met with Meg Lees, Jenny Macklin and advisers for both Amanda Vanstone and Michael Wooldridge. Barb will no doubt also give you a perspective on things but here's mine for what it's worth!! Lees was great (I know we already know she's converted) but she took it a step further. She plans to visit WA, we have forwarded on Tracy's details to her and she got me to write a question for her for question time today! She has a contact in ACT Health and was quite interested in our developments there. We are still plugging away with the ACT (more behind the scenes) as we still have until 20 Oct before the election. Macklin was poker faced and revealed very little than a general support of midwifery and assistance 'where they could', she is unable to "do anything before the election". I believe she saw us out of duty as we are a consumer org. Vanstone's and Wooldridge's adviser gave us a run for our money!! They showed little understanding (who's surprised) about the amazing amount of work that has gone before us. Astoundingly when we metioned the ultrasound budget in relation to antenatal care they replied with "If you can present an argument for cost saving in ultrasound I am sure health ministers would like to see it" -DER did they forget that's about the only thing Rocking the Cradle did. They want a succint 3 page paper on our ideas for a solution to the lack of midwifery care in this country (in our own words -how condescending). Sally T is helping us on this (phew!!). The lack of a health focus for the Gov is a bit of a worry both Wooldridge and Tambling (Parl Health Sec) are not re-standing so Wooldridge's office are linking us up with a Comm Health Bureaucrat (which won't go astray). We plan to meet with Vanstone's office again and will push the status of women stuff. We will circulate the paper widely ( may as well hey) and continue to push on. If we get a Labor Gov in the ACT (election Oct 20) we may have a real chance in effecting change. Will keep you all posted. Yours in the struggle (and yes I feel a bit like that today) Justine Caines -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
