In Australia - government paid maternity leave for women?

Question

What are your thoughts on this? I think its a fantastic idea - it would be much better to have that and scrap the baby bonus in my opinion.

Ive heard alot of people saying that they dont agree with it, but the way i see it, is that with the way things are going, people cant afford to have many kids because they cant take the time off work - therefore the population will decrease - this means less taxes for age pensions, etc etc etc

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I don't think it should replace the baby bonus. As a stay at home mum, we got the baby bonus, but maternity leave is not applicable. We really needed the baby bonus money to pay our Obstetrician and other medical costs associated with having our second child.

Answer 2

I work for state govt in WA and currently we get 12 weeks paid parental leave.  It will be increased to 14 weeks next month. So I am pretty lucky.  This together with my other leave entitlements has allowed me to take 13 months off work to raise my son.  I return to work part time next month, working 2 days per week.  That will be hard!!  But I thank my lucky stars that I have had it so good for this past year.  I dont know how mums can return to work only a few weeks after giving birth, I realise some have no choice in the matter.  I believe there should be parental leave rather than maternity leave so that both partners can take time off after the birth if they want to.  And the baby bonus I think is now means tested as well.  That was a change in the most recent federal budget.

PS Its a boy perhaps you can then tell all those other people writing specific questions about their situations from Ohio and Florida and all the other places in the States to confine their questions to the States then please !!!!

Answer 3

There are pros and cons for both.

My biggest hate of the Baby Bonus is I have witnessed many people abusing it. I think if you have a baby and use that money to buy a new Television, it's not the most intelligent decision.

I feel it may be better set up as a school grant, for when they start school or something. We have put our kids bonus money in a Trust for each, so they have that head start in life.

With the paid maternity leave, it has too many holes in it for me.

I'd like to see more information on it, before I could say something half way intelligent.

My Work Partner and I were discussing it, and it actually works out to be more expensive in the long run. 26 weeks, on a minimum wage ($14), full time, is $$14560. in our workplace. That's a lot of money, for someone who isn't working, and needs to be replaced.

Like I said too many gaps.

As a part owner in my workplace, which employs 2 full time woman, and 2 part-timers I really don't want to be paying more than their 12 weeks leave at their rates.(We pay 12 weeks at the moment)

Answer 4

That is why they have introduced the baby bonus as of july 1st it is increasing to $5,000 this money is paid to you instead of maternity leave so women can afford to take the time off to spend with their new bub.

Answer 5

This question is better suited under the Australia section of yahoo answers as it is about laws and I cant guarantee too many Australians being in the pregnancy section.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.