
Economics: Women Deserve Better Than Minimum Wage When They Have a Baby
What would change for women if having a baby didn’t mean taking a major financial hit? Australia’s parental leave system still leaves many women facing a significant drop in income at one of the biggest transitions in their lives.In this episode we speak with The Parenthood about their bold campaign for 52 weeks of paid parental leave and what it could mean for women and families navigating the economy right now.Skip ahead to:(4:47) The first year of a child’s life(6:27) Pressures shaping when parents return to work(7:49) Why paid parental leave is a focus for The Parenthood(9:50) Why we need 12 months of paid parental leave at a replacement wage – not minimum wage(11:28) Why both parents should take paid parental leave(14:23) Why governments should invest in paid parental leave schemes(16:49) How to make a year of paid parental leave a reality(19:59) How having a year of parental leave would change the experience for parents(21:28) Why we can change the status quo on parental leaveIn this episode, we unpack:Why we need to urgently improve paid parental leaveThe importance of being present for the first year of a child’s life.The pressures on parents about when to return to work.Why the Parenthood made paid parental leave a central campaign.How better parental leave could improve women’s financial security and careers.The economic problem that 12 months of paid parental leave at a replacement wage would solve.Why shared parental leave is required for both parents.Why we all should invest in a more generous parental leave scheme via government funding.How we can make 52 weeks of paid parental leave happen.What steps are needed to make the campaign’s reform possible.How 52 weeks of paid parental leave at replacement wage would change a parent’s experience.What gives The Parenthood confidence that we can create a better parental leave system.Hear why changing paid parental leave could change what motherhood costs women.Read full show notes on FeministMoney.com.au.About the show: Feminist Money, the money program for feminists who want change. In this show, our focus is on money and ensuring that 50% of the population has more equal access to money and the power and freedom of choice that money brings.



