Patrick
07-14-2004, 04:51 PM
This is wild. Is there any particular reason given for putting this program into place? Stripping out the baloney about "helping families," I mean. ~~Patrick~~
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10004090^421,00.html
Little bundles of $3000 arrive
By Jen Kelly
July 1, 2004
PARENTS of babies born since midnight will be holding their newborn bundles today and counting their blessings - and their $3000.
The first of the babies to earn the bonus lump sums for their parents began arriving at hospitals overnight.
The Federal Government's new maternity bonus gives $3000 to each baby born from today, July 1, $6000 for twins and $9000 for triplets.
Amanda Higgins, 23, from Westmeadows, missed the start time by 11½ hours when she gave birth at 12.31pm yesterday at the Royal Women's Hospital.
But the second-time mum had no regrets - and no desire for her speedy 5½-hour labour to extend to 17 hours.
"When you're in pain, you don't worry about $3000," said Ms Higgins, from Westmeadows. "And he's worth more than $3000. He's priceless."
Her baby, Rian Connor Weedon, is a little brother for Curtis, 3.
In Bundoora, Northpark Private Hospital in Melbourne offered a $2500 consolation package to the last woman to give birth before the midnight deadline.
Melanie and Darren Foster were expected to get the surprise gift.
Melanie gave birth to the couple's first child, Keeli, at 11.17pm on Monday, and no other babies had been born since as of late yesterday.
Like Ms Higgins, the Fosters said the $3000 was nothing compared with the joy of seeing their newborn girl.
"We miscarried with our first one, so it didn't matter when it was born. The money didn't mean much to us," said Mr Foster, from South Morang.
"Babies are priceless, and money can't buy happiness like this baby has brought me. We wouldn't change anything."
Ms Foster is looking forward to the $2500 pack, including a massage, dinner, French champagne, home help services and baby products.
But she said missing out on the money could never overshadow the joy of giving birth to a healthy baby, after losing her first.
"We've already got the biggest gift, which is Keeli, so anything else is a bonus," Ms Foster said.
The maternity payment, which is given to everyone regardless of income, will jump to $4000 for babies born from July 1, 2006, and $5000 from July 1, 2008.
Parents must collect a form from the hospital at the time of birth and submit it for payment.
Net link: www.familyassist.gov.au
Herald Sun
http://www.familyassist.gov.au/Internet/FAO/FAO1.nsf/content/whats_new-mhff_maternity.htm
More Help for Families - Maternity Payment
The Maternity Payment is a payment available to all families following the birth or adoption of a child.
It replaces the Maternity Allowance and Baby Bonus (administered by the Australian Tax Office).
It is generally be paid as a lump sum.
No income test applies to the Maternity Payment.
Maternity Payment will be:
$3 000 per child - increasing to $4 000 in July 2006 and to $5,000 in July 2008. (For multiple births Maternity Payment of $3 000 is paid for each child.)
available to eligible families for children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2004 (subject to certain conditions such as residency requirements).
not taxable income or considered income for Social Security or Family Assistance purposes.
The vast majority of families with babies born before 1 July 2004 will be eligible for the previous Maternity Allowance (of $842.64), Family Tax Benefit, the $600 per child One-Off Family Payment and other assistance, including the Baby Bonus.
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10004090^421,00.html
Little bundles of $3000 arrive
By Jen Kelly
July 1, 2004
PARENTS of babies born since midnight will be holding their newborn bundles today and counting their blessings - and their $3000.
The first of the babies to earn the bonus lump sums for their parents began arriving at hospitals overnight.
The Federal Government's new maternity bonus gives $3000 to each baby born from today, July 1, $6000 for twins and $9000 for triplets.
Amanda Higgins, 23, from Westmeadows, missed the start time by 11½ hours when she gave birth at 12.31pm yesterday at the Royal Women's Hospital.
But the second-time mum had no regrets - and no desire for her speedy 5½-hour labour to extend to 17 hours.
"When you're in pain, you don't worry about $3000," said Ms Higgins, from Westmeadows. "And he's worth more than $3000. He's priceless."
Her baby, Rian Connor Weedon, is a little brother for Curtis, 3.
In Bundoora, Northpark Private Hospital in Melbourne offered a $2500 consolation package to the last woman to give birth before the midnight deadline.
Melanie and Darren Foster were expected to get the surprise gift.
Melanie gave birth to the couple's first child, Keeli, at 11.17pm on Monday, and no other babies had been born since as of late yesterday.
Like Ms Higgins, the Fosters said the $3000 was nothing compared with the joy of seeing their newborn girl.
"We miscarried with our first one, so it didn't matter when it was born. The money didn't mean much to us," said Mr Foster, from South Morang.
"Babies are priceless, and money can't buy happiness like this baby has brought me. We wouldn't change anything."
Ms Foster is looking forward to the $2500 pack, including a massage, dinner, French champagne, home help services and baby products.
But she said missing out on the money could never overshadow the joy of giving birth to a healthy baby, after losing her first.
"We've already got the biggest gift, which is Keeli, so anything else is a bonus," Ms Foster said.
The maternity payment, which is given to everyone regardless of income, will jump to $4000 for babies born from July 1, 2006, and $5000 from July 1, 2008.
Parents must collect a form from the hospital at the time of birth and submit it for payment.
Net link: www.familyassist.gov.au
Herald Sun
http://www.familyassist.gov.au/Internet/FAO/FAO1.nsf/content/whats_new-mhff_maternity.htm
More Help for Families - Maternity Payment
The Maternity Payment is a payment available to all families following the birth or adoption of a child.
It replaces the Maternity Allowance and Baby Bonus (administered by the Australian Tax Office).
It is generally be paid as a lump sum.
No income test applies to the Maternity Payment.
Maternity Payment will be:
$3 000 per child - increasing to $4 000 in July 2006 and to $5,000 in July 2008. (For multiple births Maternity Payment of $3 000 is paid for each child.)
available to eligible families for children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2004 (subject to certain conditions such as residency requirements).
not taxable income or considered income for Social Security or Family Assistance purposes.
The vast majority of families with babies born before 1 July 2004 will be eligible for the previous Maternity Allowance (of $842.64), Family Tax Benefit, the $600 per child One-Off Family Payment and other assistance, including the Baby Bonus.