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CB Supporting Leonard Cohen

Mr Leonard Cohen has asked me to support him on his November tour. I don’t really know how to describe my joy at the thought of watching Mr Cohen and his band perform night after night in November. Too much. I might have to go have a little lie down. These will be solo or duo shows.

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TOP TEN for MDA! (now there’s a first!)

TOP TEN for MDA! (now there's a first!)

I don’t understand why the world’s gone topsy turvy, but it appears that after fourteen years of making albums with Marty, we’ve just earnt our first ever Top Ten Album with Modern Day Addiction! Clearly, that’s thanks to the likes of you. It’s exciting because it means people are hearing it, and that feels really wonderful (“even if it lasts a week”, as Deb Conway once put it). Also, it means that the New Slang now have an EXCELLENT excuse to indulge during rehearsal dinner on Tuesday night!

Thank you. x

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Musician Clare Bowditch Interviews PM Julia Gillard

Musician Clare Bowditch Interviews PM Julia Gillard

Sometimes in life, incredible things happen.

For me, one of these things was conducting a lengthy interview with PM Julia Gillard in a mahogany and hansard-filled office. But there you go.

The invitation came from Myspace Today a couple of weeks ago. Of course, you never think these things are actually going to happen, but after a change of time and city, there I found myself, in most impressive company.

I decided to take a risk early, but challenging her on the lack of inspiration we felt about this election, and in doing so I also asked her to take a risk, and speak from the heart. For the most part, she responded openly, with some surprising answers too.

We discussed everything from the Arts policy, “Where is Peter Garrett?”, our Environment and how we can change our thinking here, Independent Midwives “Why are they losing their jobs?”, what young people look for in a leader, where the major parties have let us down, and whether Labour have gravely underestimated community sentiment in re: to mental health. I quizzed her on same-sex marriage, and of what she would expect from Australia were she herself seeking emergency refuge. The list goes on. My only searing regret is that had no chance to discuss the lack of clear and worthy focus on Indigenous Australians in this election, and the reasons behind that. I will have more, I’m sure, but for today this is the one I most wish I had been able to question her on.

Naturally, I also had to introduce her to my lucky cricket ball, ‘fess up about my now infamous Julia Gillard Impersonation at Splendour in the Grass.  I did also ask for some guidance on her “Karate Chop Hands“. The question of whether she will join my cover band with Leigh Sales (still in negotiations) will have to wait until after the election.

This will air Tuesday night via Myspace Today: register to catch the stream.

It will go down as one of the most memorable days of my life. I’m exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to do this. My Father would have been beyond proud.

I would gladly have also interviewed Tony Abbott, however I am told he was “unavailable”.

Clare x



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SPLENDOUR AUDIENCE – thank you x

SPLENDOUR AUDIENCE - thank you x

Dear Splendour audience, I’m wiping the mud off my boots and thinking to myself, that Splendour audience made my festival. I meant every word – you really did restore my faith, and the fact that you got the new stuff and boys were dancing in the audience just made it all worth it. Thank you for being there. See you around soon. x

This is us performing a little bit of us performing David Bowie’s Fashion at Splendour, filmed by Triple J x

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Clare’s article for The Drum (ABC Unleashed)

Clare’s article for The Drum (ABC Unleashed)

Clare’s article for The Drum (ABC Unleashed): Mr Jones and Me
Click here to read full article

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A letter from Justine Cairnes of Homebirth Australia; WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP KEEP THE OPTION OF HOMEBIRTH in AUSTRALIA ALIVE

Hello All

As you may well know (if you read the last open letter), I have never had a home-birth (unlike Libby, and unlike my beautiful grandmother Annie, who did it eleven times), but I was beautifully cared for by a private midwife during and post my pregnancy, and during my labour. These women cared so well and so deeply for my family and I. No-one knows their stuff like a good independent midwife. They are just one in a million and worthy of our full support.

Below is an open letter from the learned Justine Cairnes (from Homebirth Australia) who is doing what she can to make sure the option of a safe home-birth with an independent midwife is still available for Australian families in the future . This letter outlines what you and I can do to support this quest. It would be great if you could get a chance to contribute. Please, do get submissions in to the Senate Inquiries as soon as you possibly can (as outlined in the second half of the letter).

Thanks for caring!

CB x

KEEP PRIVATE HOMEBIRTH ALIVE ACTION PLAN – All Women: Choice and a Voice

The intersection of Commonwealth legislation to regulate and accredit all health professionals and that of Medicare access for Midwives will eliminate the ability for a woman to contract a private registered midwife providing homebirth. This is due to an inability to secure professional indemnity insurance and an unwillingness by Minister Roxon to provide homebirth midwives with the same protection as all other health professionals

Medical Indemnity is clearly a FEDERAL issue. Since 2001 approx $1billion of taxpayer funds has supported medical indemnity premiums. Homebirth midwives have consistently been denied premium support. Women who choose homebirth are the only health consumers without the protection of indemnity insurance.

As a developed country Australia is out of step with other nations such as Canada, UK, New Zealand and The Netherlands, which offer public funded homebirth. By making homebirth unlawful Australia is on par with a state of the U.S like Alabama where capital punishment still exists.

Homebirth Australia is demanding indemnity support for homebirth midwives and the protection of insurance to consumers. It has been made clear in recent consultations regarding national registration that policy makers will no longer accept homebirth midwives practicing without indemnity insurance.

The Maternity Services Review Report, (forerunner to the Minister announcing Medicare for Midwives) stated

In recognising that, at the current time in Australia, homebirthing is a sensitive and controversial issue, the Review Team has formed the view that the relationship between maternity health care professionals is not such as to support homebirth as a mainstream Commonwealth-funded option (at least in the short term). The Review also considers that moving prematurely to a mainstream private model of care incorporating homebirthing risks polarising the professions rather than allowing the expansion of collaborative approaches to improving choice and services for Australian women and their babies.

The Department of Health and Ageing and Minister Roxon¹s office has tried to Œhand-ball¹ homebirth to state governments to provide hospital in the home type programs. By offering Medicare funding for Midwives, the states have little incentive to offer homebirth services. The states that currently provide state funded homebirth services only do so within tight geographic locations to a limited number of women. They also operate under restrictive protocols, which are not necessarily based on evidence but what is palatable to controlling interests. This cannot be the only option for homebirth in Australia.

The rights of women to make choices about their health care are being seriously eroded. Homebirth Australia is seeking advice regarding human rights covenants that Australia are a signatory to, including CEDAW and the United Nations Statement on the Rights of Women (1995) that states “Women have the right to have control over, and decide freely and responsibly on all matters relating to their sexual and reproductive health”

It is also unacceptable that through a lack of willingness to indemnify homebirth midwives the result will prevent women accessing registered midwives. State based models will be unable to cover the same geography that community based homebirth midwives currently do. In fact with Medicare funding greater access could have been achieved, enabling more women homebirth with a registered midwife.

WHAT CAN I DO?

A successful campaign relies on many layers of support, from letters to local politicians, personal visits, attending rallies and meeting Ministers.
Every bit does help!

To find your local federal member go to the Australian Electoral Commission Website http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/
If your local federal member is a Government member (Labor Party) it is important to ask them where they stand on the issue. Are they prepared to support women¹s choice being removed. Are they happy that women who choose to give birth at home will be forced to do so without a registered midwife?

Please ask them to forward your concerns to Minister Roxon and ask for a copy of her response.
If your local member is a member of the Coalition (Liberal/National) remind them that a central tenant to Liberal ideology is the Œrights of the individual¹. Are they prepared to remove the right of women and their families to choose where and with whom they give birth?
Can you personally visit your local politician? If so contact Homebirth Australia for a briefing by emailing justine.caines@bigpond.com

Senate Inquiries

There are currently 2 Senate Inquiries into relevant legislation affecting women¹s choice to give birth at home with a private registered midwife.

Inquiry into National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and Other Health Workers. Whilst it is unlikely that there will be agreement to remove the requirement that homebirth midwives hold insurance. We should clearly state that the Commonwealth must indemnify homebirth midwives until a private policy can be found.

This enquiry is taking submissions until 6 August 2009

Inquiry into Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse
Practitioners) Bill 2009 and two related Bills In the last week of Parliament we were successful in having the budget related ŒMedicare for midwives¹ bills taken to an inquiry so submissions could be sought. This is important as it gives us time to meet with Senators and raise our concerns before any bills are passed and become legislation.

This enquiry is taking submissions until 20 July 2009 So please get your submission in quickly Just a one pager stating the inequity of not funding and indemnifying private homebirth and what that means for you is enough.

MOTHER OF ALL RALLES SEPTEMBER 7 Parliament House Canberra 11.30am 2.00pm It seems having a woman who is a recent Mum as a health Minister has done us no favours, come to Canberra and unite in telling Nicola Roxon and all politicians that WOMEN MUST BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE AND WITH WHOM THEY GIVE BIRTH.

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Clare’s new Open Letter of Protest. GO ON! WRITE ONE TOO!!!

Hey There Everyone,

Have you heard? Today, Australia’s Federal Health Minister, Minister Nicola Roxon proposed legislation that effectively bans homebirth in Australia as of 2010.

You have got to be joking!

I urge you, like me, to write a letter of protest directly to Minister Roxon, telling her you’d like her to change her mind on this one. The phrase “Are you serious for real?” can be used. Thanks Chowdo for passing on these addresses.

email nicola@nicolaroxonmp.com

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GELLIBRAND

MINISTER FOR HEALTH & AGEING
Electorate Office
1 Thomas Holmes St
Maribyrnong 3032
Ph: 9317 7077
Fax: 9317 7477

or

Nicola Roxon
Minister for Health and Ageing
Parliament House, Canberra
Ph: 02 6277 7220
Fax: 02 6273 4146

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