Rudd defends support for home mums

Kevin Rudd has defended his government's support for stay-at-home mums a day after parliament approved Australia's first taxpayer-funded paid parental leave scheme.

Responding to a viewer question on the Seven Network's Sunrise program on Friday, the prime minister said the government was trying to seek a balance between stay-at-home mums - who will continue to receive the $5000 baby bonus - and working parents eligible for 18 weeks leave paid at the minimum wage.

Some parents also would receive the Family Tax Benefit.

"There's still a fair bit of support there if you are a stay-at-home mum whose job is absolutely critical," Mr Rudd said.

The government was trying to make sure its support for parents was practical and flexible, he said.

The paid parental scheme will operate from January 1, 2011.

I have so many questions abotu this thing they have going
I am a stay at home mum and Scott works so does that mean if he get the paid leave when this bub comes and I dont get the baby bonus or vice versa? I think its great they have finally done something to help those parents that work right after bubs is born but its confusing how it works for parents that have 1 worker and 1 stay at home

so do those mums stopping work for maternity leave not get the baby bonus and just get the maternity leave i think thats a bit unfair

I think thats how it works but I am not sure its all very confusing
I told bubbles he/she has to stay in till after new years just incase Scott decideds he would like to take some leave but I dont know how it works so not sure if that was a piontless talk with my belly lol

but is it for dads as well coz that would be paternal leave and not maternity leave ??

it is parental leave hun I am pretty sure anyway lol could be baby brain making me go nuts lol but I am pretty sure it was called parental leave

ok yep your right it does say parental leave