ALGA Budget Brief 2009-10: A local government perspective

Fact sheet: Childcare and Maternity

Child with paintbrush

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

ALGA's analysis of key points in the 2009-10 Federal Budget from a local government perspective.

Children at risk:

The Government is providing $63 million over 4 years to help protect Australia's vulnerable children from child abuse and neglect under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children. This includes:

  • $10 million over 4 years to improve services to protect children;
  • development of National Standards for Out of Home Care;
  • co-ordinated national response to: improved information sharing and data consistency; workforce development projects; and national research agenda for child protection;
  • $10 million over 4 years to establish up to 8 integrated service delivery sites across Australia to reduce child abuse and neglected in disadvantaged communities;
  • $3 million over 4 years to enhance access to quality child care for the most vulnerable children; and
  • $5.3 million over 4 years to increase the Transition to Independent Living Allownace for young people leaving care (from $1,000 to $1,500).

Paid parental leave:

  • Introduction of a statutory Paid Parental Leave Scheme with the commitment of $731million over 5 years, commencing 1 January 2011.
  • The scheme provides 18 weeks of post-natal leave paid at the minimum wage (currently $543.78 per week) for the ‘main carer’ where:
    • they have been in employment for at least 10 of the 13 months prior to birth/adoption;
    • have worked for at lease 330 hours in those 10 months; and
    • must have an adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the financial year prior to the date of birth/adoption.
    • (Note: payments under the scheme will be taxable and parents who receive PPL will not receive the Baby Bonus (except for multiple births)

Maternity services:

To address growing pressure in maternity services, the Government is investing $121 million over 4 years to increase access for women and their babies to collaborative models of care and to involve midwives in a more substantive role.

For information about ALGA's analysis of the Budget regarding Childcare please contact:

 
Page last updated: 14 May 2009