Different takes on the same thing

It has been a bit of a political few days. Last Thursday we received news that the Nurse Practitioner and Midwives Access to MBS and PBS legislation which is before the Senate, had an amendment tabled for consideration by the Senate. For those of you who have been watching the hoo-hah over the last two months about this legislation, it will come as no surpise that the Minister bowed to some pressure from the medical profession to formalise in the legislation that NPs and midwives will only be eligible if they enter into a collaborative arrangement of a kind or kind specified in the regulation with one or more medical practitioners.
The AMA hailed this as a victory but it has been interesting to see different nursing groups response. Should we be outraged? The midwives certainly are. Or is this actually a clever action by a minister under pressure to address medical practitioners concerns without being overly specific. How do we respond? Do we say nurses always work collaboratively and while we don't think it was necessary to spell this out, depending on the regulation requirements, it wouldn't make all that much difference to how nurse practitioners currently do their work. In fact the one private mental health NP reckons it will force GPs to work with him. There is also the dilemna of - 1/making a fuss about the amendment creating an impression that we don't want to work wiht medical practitioners and feeding into the hysteria in the medical media etc or 2/succumbing to the control of medical fraternity over professional nursing care/roles.
There is no right answer - I myself lean to the pragmatic. Get this legislation in on time while we have a favourable government and reap the significant benefits. It was always stipulated in the federal budget initiative back in May that it was intended that nurses would collaborate with medical practitioners -but I know I have not been fighting the NP cause for a long time and hence do not the same frustrations.
I would be really interested in comments on this one. Be brave!
Finally can I strongly encourage you all to submit proxies if you are unable to attend SGM. This is a key important strategic decision for your association. We have received some positive and negative feedback so there is no right answer. If you want your proxy to vote no - make a note on the form.