Loans for maternity leave

An out of touch Committee for Economic Development of Australia has put forward a senseless scheme for parents to fund their maternity leave via low interest loans from the Government. if you haven't read it, visit: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23947586-949,00.html

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia could certainly learn some organisational and efficiency skills from working parents by spending their time on more productive reesearch such as what other more progressive OECD countries are offering return to work parents and the research they have conducted as a result of these initiatives.

Please stop wasting time. Catch up with the world. Parents face enough debt raising Australia's future generation. It is a social responsibility that must be taken seriously. Women now account for half the workforce, and more than half of students completing a tetiary education. Foster and retain these skills, and allow women time to have children.

Most women want to return to work. As to whether they return to the same employer, that depends on the employer and the flexible work arrangements they are offering.