MY MOTHER’S DAY

How appropriate! Today is my mother’s birthday and the Democrats decide to announce part of their mother’s policy. Specifically, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja launched her Paid Maternity Leave campaign. It may be too late for my mother to benefit but it’s still a darn good idea.

The launch came five weeks after the Democrats launched historic legislation proposing a 14 week Government funded paid maternity scheme providing women with 14 weeks of paid leave at the minimum wage.

Natasha and the Democrats proposed a similar scheme in 2002. That scheme was the first paid maternity leave proposal ever made in Australia. The Democrats are certainly pioneers when it comes to these issues.

This paid maternity leave scheme is supported by a range of business groups, unions, womens groups and charities. It’s more popular than Workchoices! Unfortunately it has not been supported as strongly by the major parties despite similar schemes internationally showing that they assist in increasing workforce participation and help mothers cope with the new addition to their family.

Australia is one of two OECD countries without such a scheme. The other is the US. The Coalition spoke out last month because the scheme discriminates against stay at home mothers. This is misleading. For one thing, the baby bonus doesn’t prevent women being forced back to work just weeks after birth. Further, the Democrats do not want to deny assistance to stay at home mothers. It’s about offering different assistance where appropriate depending on the situation of each family.

There are many families in Grayndler where both parents work. The cost of housing around here means that there is often no choice for the people of Grayndler. I’m sure they would benefit from this scheme. Voting for me and the Democrats is a great way of showing your support.

Happy Birthday Mum.