An about face of stunning proportions from the Minister for Women

JODIE Speers is baffled. Where do mums really stand with the Minister for Women, when he keeps messing with biggest decision of their lives?

AS A career woman and a new mum, forgive me for feeling absolutely baffled as to where I stand in the eyes of our leaders.

Six months ago — as I was in the late stages of pregnancy — the Prime Minister was still talking up his generous paid parental leave scheme. Working women could take half a year ‘off’ to care for their babies while receiving their full wage.

It was a hit with many mums-to-be I know. Some had voted for the coalition at the last election, purely on that basis. But then, the ‘signature policy’ was dropped like a hot potato.

On the weekend, Tony Abbott went further. As my Facebook feed filled with loving tributes to the selfless, nurturing, general awesomeness of mums, the PM was announcing that the current — less generous — parental leave entitlements would also be slashed.

So not only will new parents receive no additional support ... almost half will receive less.

An about face of stunning proportions from the ‘Minister for Women’.

It works like this: those who receive paid parental leave from their employer will lose some or all of their government-funded leave (18 weeks at the minimum wage).

Apparently 18 weeks is plenty of time to pop out a baby and get back to the grind. Who would want any longer than that?

Those who have received both payments have been labelled ‘double dippers’.

But the way I see it, they are women who have been loyal to their employers and are being rewarded in turn. Women who’ve probably chosen where to work partly on the basis of such entitlements. Women who have figured out how to make ends meet while spending a little bit longer (maybe six full months!) with their precious new babies.

Jodie Speers with her gorgeous son Freddy.

The question of when to return to the office is individual and difficult. Personally, I’m not ready to leave my 5 month old son and I feel fortunate to be able to stay with him for a bit longer.

Friends of mine who have already headed back to work — mostly for financial reasons — have found it stressful and exhausting.

And there is no doubt these changes will force more women back before they are ready.

Others may have to re-evaluate when to have children, and how they will manage financially. Family planning is hard enough, without the constantly shifting goalposts.

Parental leave payments will always be open to debate. But what we need is a much more consistent approach to where us working Mums stand. Not a Minister for Women who dangles carrots in front of couples making the biggest decision of their lives.

The new measure is designed to save money. But how many companies will continue to offer paid parental leave long term, if it can’t be added to the modest government payment? They may as well just let the government foot the bill. And doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose?

Having kids is a “personal decision”, some argue — that shouldn’t be subsidised by others.

But consider this for a moment. Who do you think will shower you when you are old and frail? Provide your food? Dispense your medication and treat your ailments? Enforce law and order? Defend our country? Pay taxes? That’s right — OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN.

To a certain extent, they are everyone’s responsibility. And if we all made a “personal choice” not to have any, we would find ourselves in a serious bind.

Originally published as An about face of stunning proportions from the Minister for Women