Why Sweden is absolutely Pwning Australia

Multiculturalism is great. 

It lets us respect other cultures and customs and co-exist happily, maybe learning from some and providing an example for others.

Like, let's say.... benefits after childbirth. 

Pictured: Swedish dads

The Swedish parental scheme encourages both mother and fathers to take up to 90 weeks of paid parental leave. It's paid at 80% of their salary for the first 78 weeks, then goes back to the minimum wage. This leave doesn't even have to be consecutive - it can be used any time up until their child turns eight. In a pro-active push for higher father involvement in these early stages, the men are offered three months which they can take or leave. 

What does Australia have to offer?

The primary carer (more often than not - mother dearest) gets 18 weeks at minimum wage. If you're a dad, you can have two weeks. 

Pictured: the Government hitting Aussies where it hurts

That's pretty crap. As well as missing out on important first events and bonding with your newborn, it often means mum is left to do a lot by herself which is just going to add stress onto a time where she should be resting and rearing.

It's a funny thing because Australians 'value' hard work and having a fair go but have a funny way of showing it. 

The wage divide seems to be getting worse in our great southern land, where politicians get massive salaries (that they can vote on - think they'd say no?), enormous benefits (that seem to be double dipping - like paying for accommodation in a premise your wife owns, for example) generous travel allowances for their helicopters and private jets, bonuses, and they can access their pension straight away when they are out of office. 

We've had a pretty tumultuous couple of years politically, where, much like a Defence against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts - we just can't seem to keep anyone in that spot. 

Which means, you can be our Prime Minister for a year or two, get voted out and there's absolutely no loss of income for the rest of your life, it's equivalent to winning lotto every week of the year. 

Behind the scenes in Canberra

Then we have massive cuts to our social welfare program Centrelink - mostly blamed on our massive debt and unsustainable society?
Which seems a bit rich because this safety net covers families, people with disabilities, and those who are unemployed.
Basically - living below minimum wage and trying to survive on what they get amid backlash from those better off than them who are always baying for drug tests to be passed before any money is received... never mind how much more constant drug tests would cost and that if you're trying to survive on those basic wages you'd be lucky to be able to afford any prescription drugs, let alone illicit ones.

Then there's the constant push to get mothers back to work as soon as possible but one of the major problems with that is that the cost of child care in Australia negates the point of going to work because there is usually nothing left over after paying for it.

In stark contrast, here's Sweden with their $50 a week Government run child care once the parents are back at their jobs.

On the front lines at Canberra

 More changes this month to our ever revolving door of child care benefits - as of July 1, changes to the scheme proposes that Family Tax Benefits will be frozen at the current rates for two years.
Which sounds fine, because I'm sure the cost of living won't increase in that time, right? ...Guys?

From Sunshine Coast Daily

Debbie Schipp 26.03.2017

news.com.au

"Would you like 90 weeks of paid parental leave?"