Prime Minister Scott Morrison has raised eyebrows with a bizarre response during question time on Wednesday suggesting a highway upgrade was the answer to women giving birth on the side of the road outside Canberra.
Mr Morrison was asked by Canberra MP Alicia Payne about maternity services for women in Yass, who must travel more than an hour to either Canberra or Goulbourn to give birth.
"As a result a number of women have been forced to give birth on the side of the highway. Does the prime minister agree that that is unacceptable?"
In response, Mr Morrison said: “Well I’m pleased to let the member know that’s why we have committed $150 million to upgrade the Barton Highway.”
The mention of the updgrade sparked uproar on the Opposition benches, with senior Labor MP Tanya Plibersek saying the prime minister was "missing the point".
Mr Morrison eventually continued his answer attempting to explain the relevance of the Barton Highway upgrade.
“The commitment will improve safety and reduce travel times to all motorists on that busy stretch from Yass to Canberra."
He then went on to address health services in the region, saying the government had signed a new hospitals deal with the NSW government worth $40 billion over five years.
"This government has increased funding for hospital services in that area and in NSW, and across the country, to ensure that we can provide support whether it is for maternity services, or other important hospital services,” he told Parliament.
The NSW government cut maternity services in Yass in 2004 with women since forced to make the 70 kilometre trip to Canberra Hospital or 90km trip to Goulbourn Base Hospital.
The ABC has reported on several Yass women who have had close calls during delivery, including one woman who gave birth in her car.
