‘Implanon bonus’: Ideas shared at Empowering Women’s Economic Security forum

A political candidate has raised a radical idea for an “Implanon bonus” as the Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson met with influential and motivated Far North ladies to discuss economic security.

Panellists Patricia O'Neill, Joanne Schmider, Anna Jones and Sally Mlikota at the Empowering Women's Economic Security forum in Cairns. Photo: Supplied

A former LNP candidate for Cairns has raised a radical idea for an “Implanon bonus” as the Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson met with influential and motivated Far North women to discuss women’s economic security.

Ms Simpson hosted the first of many Empowering Women’s Economic Security forums last week in Cairns, hearing from female community leaders on the barriers and opportunities for women in the region.

It was former LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsche who raised the most radical idea, suggesting a move to rectify the mistakes of the “baby bonus” and the creation of a contraceptive bonus for women.

Speaking from the floor Ms Entsch said the idea came from her years working in communities across the far north.

“One of the things I have noticed is that there are women who are in relationships who are experiencing horrendous domestic violence,” she said.

The baby bonus was the worst thing that could have ever happened and there are still women having children because the man wants the money.

She said she had floated the idea but it was “shot down”.

Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson speaks at the Empowering Women's Economic Security forum. Photo: Supplied

“I strongly believe that if we were investing in women to have contraception, the Implanon (a contraceptive usually implanted into the upper arm), if we were then paying those women for each year they keep it in.

“That effectively satisfies the man and gives them that time until they are ready to have a family.

“When that young woman wants to have a family I would encourage her to have a parenting program which could have another financial payment.”

Ms Entsch said that any point along that timeline if the woman wished to have a family she could simply have the contraceptive removed.

“It’s about empowering women to have children when they want to have them.”

Other issues raised by the women on the panel included the need for greater access to networking and mentoring programs to help develop women’s business and boost skills, the need for women to build confidence and believe in themselves more to succeed, and the difficulty bridging the superannuation gap or leadership ladder gap that comes with taking time away from the workplace to build a family.

The panellists also highlighted marginalised groups as those that need more assistance but also hold the most potential for the local economy including women over 40, migrants and asylum seekers, and indigenous women.

The minister said information gathered at the forums across Queensland would inform a security strategy her ministry will develop.

“There are some significant pay gaps, safety gaps in terms of housing and a lot of other issues that we need to address,” she said.

“It’s not all one size fits all, we have different challenges in different areas whether it be rural and remote as well as different barriers and opportunities.”

Originally published as ‘Implanon bonus’: Ideas shared at Empowering Women’s Economic Security forum