The National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG) welcomes the Australian Government's investment today in women's healthcare and strongly supports the enhanced access to reproductive health services.
However, NASOG remains disappointed by the ongoing lack of commitment to improving maternity care options, particularly in rural and regional areas.
NASOG applauds any initiative that improves women’s access to affordable reproductive healthcare. However, without a genuine commitment from our Federal representatives to making maternity care more affordable and accessible, these efforts are profoundly incomplete.
Australian families deserve the right to choose the maternity care model that best suits their needs. Yet, persistently low Medicare and private health rebates mean that many women simply cannot afford their first-choice care. The increasing cost of private health cover is putting additional financial strain on families, forcing many to compromise on the quality and continuity of their maternity care.
Maternity care is not a single healthcare event; it is a complex journey that extends well beyond the birth itself. Many women face years of fertility struggles and require medical support to conceive. Pregnancy can bring additional costs for tests, monitoring, and specialist care. Labour and birth are unpredictable, with one in five births requiring obstetric intervention. And postnatal care—for both mothers and babies—can continue for years, involving multiple healthcare professionals.
Without urgent action, Australian women will continue to experience diminishing choices in where and how they give birth. NASOG urges both major political parties to make improving maternity care access a core election policy. Investment in maternity services, including funding for private obstetric care and sustainable models of collaboration between midwives and specialist obstetricians, must be prioritised to ensure equitable care for all women.
As the Federal Election approaches, NASOG challenges all major parties to present concrete policies that will improve the affordability of maternity care. Australian women and their families deserve the opportunity to vote on this critical issue—one that profoundly impacts their health, wellbeing and financial security.
While we welcome the government’s recognition of women's health, comprehensive care must include maternity services as a fundamental pillar. NASOG remains committed to advocating for policies that ensure all women have access to high-quality, specialist-led maternity care.
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