BABY AND BATHWATER
 
A couple of years ago The Age newspaper carried a headline which said: ‘If this woman lived in Estonia, she would have fifteen months’ paid maternity leave. In Australia, she has none. What’s going on?’ I read that and thought ‘go forth and multiply yourself’. My initial reaction was: Go and live in Estonia and the best of British luck to you.

 The paid maternity leave argument is rarely out of the news. I have had several on-air arguments about it with Pru Goward, the former sex discrimination commissioner in the Howard Government, who proposed generous paid maternity leave back in 2002.
 
Back then Tony Abbott, in Government, said Australia would introduce paid maternity leave ‘over my dead body’.
 
But this is an election year and Abbott is now not only in Opposition he has a chance to occupy The Lodge.
 
The Rudd Government plans to start paying 18 weeks maternity leave from next January. A scheme paid for by the taxpayer.
 
The Mad Monk has upped the ante. He’s been converted. He’s the new ‘working family’s friend’ Women should not only get paid maternity leave. They should get it for six months. It should not be means tested up to $2884 a week. And the boss should pay for it.
 
Only six weeks ago Mr. Abbott pledged the Coalition would fund all of its election promises ‘without new taxes’. The maternity bonuses would be paid from a 1.7% levy on big companies.
 
What the difference is between a new tax and a 1.7% levy is beyond me.
 
Let’s put it bluntly. Why should your boss pay you to have a baby? Not only pay you but pay you for six months to stay home on full pay of up to around $3000 a week and no means testing.
 
 Tony Abbott’s latest’ thought bubble’ was announced to a women’s group yesterday morning and then he had to sell it to a shadow Cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon.
 
My argument is simple: Why should the boss fund your lifestyle choice?
 
And it costs him or her double. Your wages while you are away and the wages for the person who replaces you.
 
As I have said before:  motherhood is a wonderful thing. Being a mum is a tough job. That’s why you get taxpayer-funded bonuses other people don’t. Just don’t think it’s your right for your employer to pay for your life choices.
 
I guess it is good news for mature age females looking for work. Companies will be too scared to hire women of child-bearing age.  Too big a risk.
 
Footnote:  Had to laugh at George Brandis  trying to defend the latest Abbott ‘thought bubble’ on SKY’s Agenda programs this  morning.
 
He said ‘The Liberals  have never been the Government for the big end of town’.  Tell that to Ron Walker who raised millions and millions of dollars for Liberal party coffers from big business.
 
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2010