Latest news with #regional
ABC News
8 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
NSW parents welcome funding for midwife-led care after birth trauma inquiry
Parents involved in a landmark inquiry into birth trauma are welcoming an almost $45 million investment in maternity care described as the "gold standard". The NSW government has allocated $83 million to maternity care in the upcoming state budget. More than half, $44.8 million, will go towards expanding the state's midwife-led program, Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). The MGP funding will include an additional 53 midwife roles in regional and remote NSW, with improved training for clinicians in respectful maternity care and enhanced antenatal education for patients in the wider package. The announcement comes 12 months after the inquiry, widely described as a "me too" moment for birth trauma, handed down its final report. It attracted more than 4,000 submissions and held six hearings. The report recommended more access to continuity of care programs like the MGP, and more midwives. Natalie Webb lives in Tumbarumba and was one of the first women to go public with her experience of birth trauma, also giving evidence at the Wagga Wagga hearing of the inquiry. She said her traumatic birth, in which pain relief was withheld, could have been avoided with access to continuity of care. "That would have made a huge difference to me — having someone I knew and could trust and who could have advocated for [me] when I couldn't advocate for myself," she said. She still deals with the trauma three years on and hopes the funding will improve outcomes. "I'm not going to have another child now because it's too traumatic, and that's something my husband and I are going to have to deal with for the rest of our lives," she said. The president of Illawarra-based advocacy group Better Birth Illawarra, Sharon Settecasse, fought back tears as she described the announcement as "phenomenal". "We're overjoyed by this announcement … we're a bit speechless to be honest," she said. In the MGP, a woman sees the same midwife before, during and after birth. The Birth Inquiry's final report identified it as the "gold standard" of maternity care, calling for increased investment in it. It also recommended funding for other programs and services, including the GP obstetrician workforce. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) welcomed the funding, calling women's health an "underfunded" area. "Whilst investment in bolstering the midwifery workforce is valuable, RANZCOG emphasises that a multidisciplinary framework is essential to meet the complex needs of all women and birthing people," they said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the inquiry had "a huge impact" on him, and the funding decision was made off the back of advocacy he heard before and during. "Time and time again [I heard] continuity of care with a known midwife is really important, and I've also spoken to obstetricians who said that is an area where we need to improve," he said. "To be blunt, I was sick of reading about [birth trauma], I was sick of hearing about it, I wanted to use this budget to try and deal with some of the issues." He said the funding will begin to roll out "straight away" and new midwives should be on the ground within two years, depending on recruitment. The birth inquiry was announced off the back of a mass complaint about maternity care at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, submitted by the Maternity Consumer Network (MCN) on behalf of 30 women. MCN founder Alecia Staines said today's funding was a win for the women who came forward. "Credit where credit is due; those initial women of Wagga Wagga were crucial and hats off to them," she said. "It's not easy, and it's such a brave thing they have done, and this is a lasting legacy and something they can be proud of that has come from their pain and suffering."
ABC News
12 hours ago
- ABC News
Kill them all, or reconnect? Our Friday Wrap
The sides in Erin Patterson's triple murder trial delivered their closing addresses this week, with one calling the lunch a sinister deception and the other a friendly family gathering. In this episode, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through the key arguments from each side, share some reflections on the week and explain the next stages. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@ - It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef wellington at a family lunch, hosted by Erin Patterson. Police allege the beef wellington contained poisonous mushrooms, but Erin Patterson says she's innocent. Now, the accused triple murderer is fighting the charges in a regional Victorian courthouse. Investigative reporter Rachael Brown and producer Stephen Stockwell are on the ground, bringing you all the key moments from the trial as they unravel in court. From court recaps to behind-the-scenes murder trial explainers, the Mushroom Case Daily podcast is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom. Keep up to date with new episodes of Mushroom Case Daily, now releasing every day on the ABC listen app.
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fire and Emergency on standby for flight into Hawke's Bay Airport
Hawke's Bay Airport (File pic) Photo: Google Maps Fire and Emergency (FENZ) is on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport at the request of an inbound flight. Shift manager Chris Dalton said three crews were at the airport as a precaution after an aircraft indicated a possible "situation on board". He said larger airports had their own fire brigades, but in regional areas FENZ was called in to help. Dalton said there had been no suggestion of an emergency, and the plan was to attempt a landing before 8am. RNZ has contacted the airline. More to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Jury to decide if Erin Patterson is telling the truth in mushroom trial
The trial of accused triple murderer Erin Patterson in regional Victoria is coming to an end, with the judge preparing his statement to be delivered next week. Mike Lorigan reports.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major shortage sees critical road cost hiked across Australia: 'Prices likely to stay high'
With automatic cars now dominating Australian roads, manual driving instructors are getting harder to find — and pricier by the hour. As the popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles grows, manufacturers are increasingly moving away from the stick. While most drivers across the country opt to learn to drive in automatics, manuals are still common in trades, agriculture, and regional settings — including among drivers of utes, trucks, and older fleet vehicles in particular. Some say it gives them more control behind the wheel, others argue it keeps their car-buying options more open, and many just prefer the experience. Does a shrinking pool of manual-licensed drivers make it harder for businesses to find suitable staff? Potentially, yes. Experts warn that as lesson prices climb and access to instructors dwindles, it could deter learners who might otherwise pursue the skill, leaving fewer people qualified to drive manual vehicles. Speaking to Yahoo News, auto expert Amanda Butler pointed to data that shows manual lessons are not only becoming more expensive but also harder to access. "This combination of cost and availability could certainly be influencing learner preferences. While some still seek the added flexibility of a manual licence, rising prices — especially in cities like Adelaide — may be a deterrent, particularly for younger Australians or those on tighter budgets," she said. Butler, of driving school EzLicence, said the company's latest analysis found that Adelaide is by far the most expensive city for manual learners, with an average hourly lesson rate of $271.20 — more than double that of the second-most expensive city, Canberra, at $92.90. Newcastle ($89.20) followed, with Sydney ($87.70) trailing behind, and Geelong ($87.50) rounding out the top five. The data also revealed that learning to drive a manual is now more expensive than automatic, marking a reversal from the previous year. In 2023–24, manual lessons averaged $77.65, slightly cheaper than automatic at $80.16. But by 2024–25, manual prices had jumped to $83.87, while automatic lessons saw only a modest increase to $80.61. Automatic learners still copped price hikes, with Adelaide topping the charts at $112.93 per lesson, according to the data. Wollongong ($84.52) and Canberra ($84.32) followed close behind. On the more affordable end, Bendigo offered the cheapest automatic lessons at $74.79, with Hobart ($76.17) and Sydney ($77.81) also below the national average. "While automatics are becoming more common, manual licensing still has a place, especially in regional areas or certain industries where manual cars remain prevalent," Butler said. "Learners will ideally continue to have the freedom to choose what suits them best, whether that's manual or automatic. It makes sense to keep encouraging them where there's demand. But we also need to think about the supply side. 💡 Aussie roads dark for months as sinister $100 million trend escalates 🚘 Push for major road rule change affecting hundreds of thousands 🛞 Major road rule changes coming into effect on July 1 "Without enough qualified instructors offering manual lessons, prices are likely to stay high, and accessibility will remain limited. Supporting instructors to continue teaching manual, whether through incentives or easing operational costs, could help keep this option viable in the years ahead." Overall, South Australia emerged as the most expensive state for manual licence instructors, with lesson prices rising 10.7 per cent since 2023. Tasmania remains the most affordable, averaging $76.17 per hour. On the cheaper end, Wollongong topped the list, with manual lessons averaging just $75.90 per hour, followed by Bendigo ($76.10), the Gold Coast ($78.90), Perth ($81.90), and Cairns ($83.20). Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
