Maternity leave economics

Posted by Jenni Colwill on 7 November 2008 | 0 Comments

Today's news is that paid maternity leave is under threat due to the economic downturn. This is despite the fact that a good way to stimulate the economy is giving women secure incomes and the ability to go back to work after childbirth with the support of the employer.

The Rudd government seems at risk of conveniently forgetting that it was elected in by women in some very important marginal electorates. By investing in women, the government will be upholding the strongly held expectations of these voters.

Besides, investing in women through paid maternity leave will be an important means of stimulating the economy. What mother is going to hoard money at that stage of their life? It will all be spent.

Please bear this in mind, Mr Tanner, when looking at the forward estimates for the next budget. Extra cash flowing into household budgets is the best way to stimulate an economy. Women and children are the infrastructure of society.

Women already face lower wages in the job market, and without a paid maternity leave scheme in Australia, women will continue to be disadvantaged in employment. Australia's economic advance will continue to be hobbled by this disadvantage.

We really don't want this discrimination to be continued. Really.