Volume 9, Issue 2 (2001)

FAMILY SUPPORT POLICY IN AUSTRALIA: THE NEED FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT

Australian women show a strong attachment to employment. This article shows that this includes most mothers of pre-school children. However, Australia’s family tax rebate, family income support and children subsidy systems penalise rather than help mothers who work. There needs to be a paradigm shift in these arrangements if the family preferences of most mothers are to be addressed. Such a shift is an essential component of policies which address Australia’s declining birthrate.

Authors: Peter McDonald

Filesize: 135kb

Pages: 7

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