A letter to the editor

Re: "Rudd set on paying working mums more" by Andrew Tillett, The West Australian Saturday, October 4, 2008 pg16Rudd’s plan to pay working mums more than stay-at-home mothers for their mothering care in the first few months is short-sighted.

Women who choose to stay at home for only a short period of time after their child’s birth experience minimal disruption to their career path and its financial rewards.

Women who decide to have subsequent children before returning to paid employment make a much greater financial sacrifice. They give up an ongoing income flow by not returning to work in the intervening time and also face greater barriers to picking up their career. They are often no longer employable in their previous field, certainly far from able to fit smoothly back into the vaunted career track, and must accept either a lower paid job in a different field or the added financial burden of re-training.

I have decided these disadvantages are outweighed by the benefits to my four children (and the community) of my staying at home. Others may not be financially free to make this choice.

Maternity pay for those who were already established in the previous “job” of stay-at-home mother is essential, if we are to encourage women to have more than one baby. Otherwise the only thing this new maternity leave scheme will do is reward families who choose to have less children – and Australians are doing that in droves already.