ERA Submission on ParentsNext Inquiry
ERA has made a submission to the ParentsNext, including its trial and subsequent broader rollout Senate inquiry. As part of this inquiry we have endorsed submissions from our members Good Shepherd and the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children.
“Single mothers are at the nexus of unpaid work and care responsibilities disproportionately shouldered by women and the systemic devaluing of this work. Child care forms the vast majority of the unpaid care economy in Australia and PWC has quantified its worth to the economy at $345 billion (in 2011 terms). Further, recent research from Austen, Mavisakalyan, Sharp and Costa has found that parenthood impacts women’s long-term earnings significantly while not having a discernible impact on men’s. A much greater understanding and appreciation for this unpaid work is essential in policies that impact single parents.”