The SheEO Blog

I am a Canadian now in Australia and having had my two children in Canada with paid maternity and paternity benefits,(57% of your wage (capped) for up to one year split with both parents and little or no tax on this) I was really surprised arriving in Australia to find that this is not the case here. It is truly fantastic to BE with your children from the start and not worrying about the income or daycare arrangements when this bonding time is so crucial. I think it is fantastic and highly recommend that its voted in. I believe in Canada that it is partially paid by business through tax and partially through individual ongoing tax but I am not sure on the actual split.

I don't agree with paid maternity leave in the format it has been suggested. I think it will be absolutely detrimental to women in the long term. There is an assumption by many people that businesses all make lots and lots of money. I'm here to tell you that making a profit isn't always that easy! So knowing this, I can also tell you that businesses simply don't need ANOTHER expense. Do people seriously believe that businesses won't take the extra potential expense into account when they are hiring a women in her "fertile" years? I believe maternity leave should be a user paid system governed in a similar manner to superannuation savings. The bottom line is people need to plan the financials around having a family. Children ARE expensive and sacrifices are usually necessary but they are indeed worth every cent.