Baby Payment

Labor promises $3,000 baby payment
1:33 PM March 31

The federal Labor Party says it will introduce a baby care payment of $3,000 per baby, if it wins the next election.

The Opposition says its $2 billion plan is equivalent to 14 weeks’ paid maternity leave.

Opposition leader Mark Latham says the baby care payment will apply to working and non-working mothers and although the payment will be means-tested, 90 per cent of mothers will be eligible.

Mr Latham says if Labor is elected, the payment will be introduced on July 1, 2005 and increase to more than $5,000 by 2010.

He says the payment is not just for the first child but for every baby.

Mr Latham says mothers will not be able to access the money in a lump sum.

“The payment will be made fortnightly over a minimum 14-week period but if mothers want to stretch out over a longer period of time they can do so up to a year,” he said.

To pay for the scheme, Mr Latham says Labor will phase out the Government’s baby bonus and replace the current maternity allowance.

Source: ABC

I can’t believe this. First we where not going to get anything. Now maybe we will be able to get paid maternity leave. I get a small payment from the govenment for Callum of $25.00 a fortnight. When he was born the government gave us a one off payment of $815.80 called “baby bonus.” Because Matt makes very good money we arn’t and wont be able to get a payment from the government. Australia has a high number of teen births very year and it’s getting bigger and bigger. People I went to school with, had babies at 14,15,16 just so that they could get a payment from the government of around I think about $450 a week. Why work? The average weekly income of one person is $450. Imagen how this looks to a 15 year olds now? Yes have baby, not work a day in your life and still bring home a bonus of $3,000 to $5,000 plus your $450 a week. Is it just me or does it seem easier to just not work and live of tax payers money?

Thank God under 18’s can’t vote.

Kell

Babyslime

At least the maternity leave is promising. In canada you get a year. 450 a week?! Holy crap! That’s four times as much as you get on WELFARE once a month here!! I didn’t even make that much when I was working what I thought was a well-paying job!!

Wow the U.S. would never do something like that, oh wait thats what we call welfare and TANF.

life of the boys

My family have the same problem we earn a fraction too much and only get $25 p/w but we claim it back at the end of year for tax. your right it is not fair…i’m tired of people popping out children to get the pension so they do not have to work. I heard not long ago about an 20 year old girl who has 7/8 children…Your right it is a lot easier to sit on your A$$ and collect the pension the spend

all day working just to be charged so much in tax to pay for them…thing need to change because people are tired of it!! sorry =)

March 31, 2004

i am glad you knew what i was talking about. How can she live in a dump and get so much? its not fair on the children…i was in shock to read about her having a child every yr since 13. Your right it is WRONG! It’s too easy in this country not to work. yet my poppa who worked all his life gets basically nothing and that goes to rent and paying for my nanna’s nursing home its not fair….

i agree with you 100% there are people who really need help and miss out because of people like them and her…

Emerald Sapphires

eh.. that could be a very bad thing if it happend here in the states. I can forsee woman and teens getting pregnant on purpose just to get the money. :0

I would love to get paid to be a SAHM, but the system would be abused by so many!

Rynkole

wow! I like the way Canada’s got it set up… I think it’s harder to abuse than something like that. In canada, you can get up to $330 a month (well, in Ontario-Canada) but it’s entirely income based.. and you can’t “make” money off that, kids cost that much.. unless you live in a one bedroom with 8 kids, then you’ve got issues…. but $450/week!

That is a lot of money! I can see why the teens are having babies there.

that would be awesome!

your little guy is soooo cute:) Wow i can see why those kids drop out and have kids, its wrong but thats good money. I’ve read some of your previous entries I just had to say, I had a horrible time trying to breastfeed Sage. He refused to breastfeed so I eventually went to formula.

MamaNProud

April 1, 2004

OMG. Your baby is sooooooo adorable!! He looks like a little doll! He is just gorgeous!!!! Best of luck in everything, hun!!! *HUGZ*

Here you can get up to $240 a month for baby bonus…..