Women protest at 15 locations across Australia saying NO to Rudd’s maternity reforms

Posted by Michelle Meares on February 19th, 2010 in Blog

Brisbane Rally - Credit Miriam Ackroyd (Wildflower Images)

Women and their families protest across Australia in 15 different locations to tell PM Kevin Rudd and Minister Roxon what they think of his maternity reforms - It's not YOUR right to decide how we give birth Kevin Rudd. It is a WOMAN's right. Photo Credit Miriam Ackroyd

Join the Facebook group to get involved in organising or leave a message of support.

What will it take for Kevin Rudd to listen to women, and put the needs of Australian families ahead of the Australian Medical Association?

OUR Bodies, OUR Babies, OUR Right to decide Kevin Rudd – it is not YOUR right to decide how we give birth.

A National Day of Action was held yesterday at 15 different locations Australia wide as women and their families across the country joined together to send Minister Roxon and PM Rudd a clear message – we say NO to your maternity reforms which take away our right to self-determination in health care.

The news laws currently in the Senate will remove a woman’s basic right to make decisions about the type of birth she has, the place of birth and her care provider.

Women have been protesting since last July against this new legislation which puts power in the hands of the medical profession, instead of placing women at the centre of decisions made about their care during pregnancy and birth. The Australian Medical Association has lobbyed the Federal Government hard for changes to this legislation and women say NO – you must place our rights ahead of the Dcotor’s pay packets.

Women will not give up on this issue and our elected MPs must listen to the voices of women in their electorates who believe that while women may seek advice from their doctor ultimately they have the right to make decisions about their bodies and their babies.

National Day of Action - Our Bodies, Our Babies, Our Rights

We ask our politicians:
How is it that a Doctors opinion or advice (however learned) will be able to override the long established legal rights of a woman to informed consent and right of refusal?

Women from the Maternity Coalition in Ballarat (Yvette Knights, Faye Kricak and Michelle McRitchie) attended the Community Cabinet Meeting on the National Day of Action to ask PM Kevin Rudd & Minister Roxon the questions we all want answered.

LINK TO MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION- CAMPAIGN SO FAR AND DETAILS OF THE BILLS

MEDIA

Government Response

National Coverage

Newcastle/Hunter

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hunter-rally-for-birth-choice/1754102.aspx

Ballarat

Sunrise Channel 7 - map of rally locations

Sydney

Gosford

NBN News
Express Advocate
SEAFM

Darwin

NT mums fight for homebirth right | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au

Coffs Coast

Women aim birthing protest at PM | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast | Coffs Coast Advocate

Cairns

Home birth protest hits the streets – ABC Far North Qld – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Hobart

The National Day of Action was covered by newspapers, radio and tv stations Australia wide. Thank you for the support and helping inform the Australian public about this important issue.
If you have other media links please email us info@mybirth.com.au or post to the Facebook group

national-day-action

PM Kevin Rudd was unable to unveil his head in Ballarat on the National Day of Action due to the protests - the women from Ballarat thought he might need some more exposure (Credit: Michelle McRitchie)

PM Kevin Rudd was sadly unable to unveil his head as planned in Ballarat on the National Day of Action due to the protests - the women from Ballarat thought he might need some more exposure (Credit: Michelle McRitchie)

Midwife Sonja MacGregor at the Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Sydney Rally outside Tanya Plibersik's offce (Credit Britt Louwrens)

Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon at Sydney Rally (Credit Britt Louwrens)

Chris Wrightson at Sydney Rally (Credit: Britt Louwrens)

Ballarat Rally (Credit Keenan McRitchie - 10 years old)

Justine Caines interview Ballarat (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Ballarat - Justine Caines addresses the crowd (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Ballarat - Justine Caines addresses the crowd in Ballarat Botanical Gardens where they stopped Kevin Rudd from unveiling his head as planned (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Who will say SORRY for these LAWS Kevin Rudd? - sign in Ballarat (Credit Keenan McRitchie)

Gosford Rally at Belinda Neals office (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Gosford (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Kelly Cole singing at the Gosford rally (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Kelly Hope singing at the Gosford rally (Credit Tracy Beveridge)

Jennifer Brown speaking at Gosford rally at MP Belinda Neal's office (Credit Tracy Beveridge) - "It's not up to Kevin Rudd or the head of the AMA to tell us how to give birth"