WEL comments on past Federal Budgets.
In 2007: “Give us more services, not just money bribes.” says national women’s organisation. “Women will not go back to work because of small tax cuts and a slight rise in child care rebates,” said WEL spokeswoman Eva Cox. “Funding and finding quality care are essential for mothers of preschool children to take up paid work and this budget does nothing to assist either of these.
And in 2006: Although the tax cuts were welcomed by many, the disappointing aspect of the budget was the lack of initiatives to assist women. Child care initiatives concentrated on family day care and after school care but ignored the cost and need for more places at child care centres.
Also ignored was the problem of the double drop identified by then Liberal MP Jackie Kelly where parents have to take school children and toddlers to different localities. Kim Beasley suggested developing child care centres at primary schools. It is interesting to note that this occurs in some Tasmanian schools.
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WEL spokeswoman, Eva Cox, points out that changes to welfare-to-work will mean that ALL recipients of parenting payments, single and partnered will be asked to look for part time work (15 hours per week) once their youngest child reaches six and lose access to the parenting payment when their child turns eight.
A study by the University of Wisconsin states that the degree of women’s economic dependence on an abuser is associated with the severity of the abuse they suffer.