What we're talking about

Christine on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' isn't it funny how DHS don't recognise the psychological effects of domestic violence on children and continue to allow ... more
Warrior princess on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' There is a family In the Cairns Area who are Foster Carers.Atherton Child Safety have threatened the carers and own ... more
duncan on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' i have spent time with this family. it is a house full of love. "mum", grandfather and older sblings.this cannot be an issue ... more
Tracey on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Family Law is different from the rest of the law in this country.. Ie. Family Law is based on probability: ie if it might ... more
carol annetta on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' having known this family for some time i am disgusted with the treatment she has received. it seems more of a witch hunt ... more
Maureen Hillary on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Derryn,I have counselled traumatized parents as a result of DHS staff.There are great staff workers who care but they ... more
Janet Tavener on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I am a visitor to this country.My attention was drawn to the case of these children and their foster mother by a relative of ... more
sam on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Happening in Tasmania also.Wewon a court case over 8 months ago and due process still hasn't been done.We spent 17,000 ... more
Anne Glover on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I just cannot believe what the DHS has put the Foster Mother, and the children through - I thought the DHS was supposed to ... more
Tracey on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' DHS are the most disgraceful organization I have ever had the displeasure of becoming involved with. They are so ... more
Vicki on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Hi Derryn,I have known this carer since primary school, she has always put others above herself. Being a carer myself I know ... more
Gran'ma Pam on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' As any of us with any sense know, these children should NEVER have been taken from this lady (mum) in the first place, they ... more
Dominic Lombardo on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I see my daughter every six months DHS are conducting a vendetta against me I have not been told why I can only see her ... more
cassy houghton on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Hello Derryn,Firstly i would like to thankyou for your support and the willingness to help this beautiful family.I ... more
Warrior princess on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Im a carer also in Qld. I see this happen way too much from our Government. They are starting to use Carers own children as ... more
paul on "I'll pay the fee," says Hinch I believe what Liberal Party has done is stupid. But I feel for candidates like Joh Bauch and James Buonopane who want to ... more
Andrea on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Why are these public servants allowed to blatantly flout the law without the same consequences the rest of society faces? I ... more
birth mother on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' i am the birth morther of these 4 children and i just want to say dhs dont care they just want the kids in care so they can ... more
Frances Goff on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Derryn, Firstly, Happy BirthdayHaving worked in a primary school for 15 year I have seen some terrible things regarding DHS ... more
Karen on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Hi Derryn, I have known these children through "the system".for all of their lives. I have had regular contact with them ... more

Hinch: Baby and bathwater

Posted by: Derryn Hinch | 9 March, 2010 - 4:02 PM

A couple of years ago The Age newspaper carried a headline which said: 'If this woman lived in Estonia, she would have 15 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 $3,000 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.

'Six months on full pay'

BLOG: The Opposition's parental leave policy has been described as 'inequitable' with business claiming low-paid mothers would be worse-off under the scheme. Read more.

Ross and John on the scheme

Blog comments

No system is perfect, and all systems are abused. That's the reality of human nature and culture right now, from the poorest to the richest. Healthy, happy children are the earth's best hope. When infants get a sound nutritional and psychological start in life they have a better chance of becoming the community-minded citizens that make for strong social cohesion and reduced levels of mental illness and crime.

Margaret Moorhouse Wednesday 10 March, 2010 - 11:08 AM
Why some one has to pay? Before, it was different. No sense in thinking about maternity pay. It will benefit some people but it will pull many people into trouble. Indirectly, it will take the economy backward. In my view, government should think about cutting baby bonus also. Don't make people lazy by giving unnecessary bonus/maternity pay are what ever. At least, help the pensioners/old people who can't work sick, etc. Where ever you go these politicians are same, making all false commitments and end of the day pushing the common man into trouble by creating more problems.

Maddy Tuesday 9 March, 2010 - 9:58 PM