The Australian population would boom if the Australian Government funded
14 weeks paid maternity leave with the wage being set at the same level
as the minimum wage, according to a survey of 2,436 females by the Heat
Group, Australia's leader marketer to women.
25% of Australian women surveyed say they would happily have a third
child if the Government recognised the critical need for support.
Furthermore, if Family First Senator, Steve Fielding has his way and the
baby bonus is boosted to $10,000 per child, over 42% of women in the
18-40 age bracket say they would have another child.
Interestingly 55% of those surveyed believe that Australia has just not
progressed in the last ten years in the level of support given by
Governments to women with children.
Gillian Franklin, MD of The Heat Group says the survey shows that 67% of
females say they intend going back to work after having children and 30%
of those have absolutely no choice in the matter as they need the money.
"But the realities of going back to work are not so rosy either. A
massive 91% of women say they were sidelined after taking maternity
leave and 43% say they were severely disadvantaged.
"Australia is already facing an economy at close to, or already, full
employment. We have a growing skill shortage and many companies are
looking overseas to recruit staff or having to outsource work
internationally. The future strength and growth of the Australian
economy relies upon steady growth in our population as well as ensuring
that females are supported through maternity leave and child care needs.
"Families should be able to make decisions about the number of children
they produce based on personal preferences and not because they don't
have the level of support from Government.
For interviews with Gillian Franklin,
please contact Markson Sparks Publicity
(02)9775 7022 | 0408 687 688
|
