The Howard Government's Budget treats low income parents as unworthy while providing bonuses to wealthy married couples.
Australian Democrats Family & Community Services spokesperson, Senator Brian Greig, says the 2005 Budget measures which compel parenting payment recipients to leave children as young as six home alone, including those with a disability, in order to meet work commitments, represents an unacceptable social dilemma.
"At the same time that the Treasurer was announcing this hard line for parents on welfare, he was also announcing that a $300 tax-free bonus will be paid to wealthy two-parent families where one parent stays at home to care for children up to 18 years of age," Senator Greig said.
"The children of widowed, separated and single low income parents deserve quality parenting and support in the same way as well-off families. These Budget policies fail to recognise the health, educational and behavioural needs of children, as well as the urgent need for affordable and available child care in all areas."
Senator Greig says most single parents already work as much as their parenting duties permit and they often do so under difficult circumstances, without the support of a partner.
"We must recognise that single parents already have a very important job, and that's raising their children.
"If parents are not willing to meet the Government's demands to leave their children home alone, they will now face being breached and losing their full income support payment for long periods. This could have a devastating impact on children's welfare," Senator Greig said.
"Parents are best placed to determine when their parenting duties enable them to participate in the workforce. A parent who has lost the support of a partner should not be compelled to compromise their parenting responsibilities.
"The Democrats call on the Government to put children's welfare first, and not make them pay the price of tax cuts for high income earners," Senator Greig said.
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