The Australian Greens have succeeded in bringing further scrutiny to Federal Government proposals that would effectively give doctors control over who can practice midwifery.

Government amendments would require midwives to work in formal collaborative arrangements with doctors as a condition of insurance.

"The proposed collaborative arrangements are unworkable because we know multiple doctors have different views of when referral is appropriate," Australian Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Collaborative arrangements should not be linked to eligibility but to the care provided by an MBS eligible midwife."

"Without changes to the legislation the only midwives who will be able to participate in the new arrangements will be those who are working directly in the rooms of obstetricians.

"We have successfully referred the bill to a Senate committee and look forward to being able to scrutinise the full implications of these changes to ensure women's rights are protected.

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