abbott votes to reduce single mother payments, page-8

Moondoong, I agree that 8 is way too young to leave a child to fend for themselves while mum is at work.

Recently a 5 year old grandchild had school sores and could not go to school or after school care for a few days. Absolutely healthy and full of beans. A single parent in this situation would have to take time off work if s/he has no one else to help OR risk leaving the child alone at home.

Agree that 13 would be far more sensible and they also need to remove the carrot of the baby bonus for single mums to keep having more babies and to stop too many latch key kids. I don't know why we need it at all, let alone for unlimited babies. Surely it should be phased out after baby 2 or 3.

If the coalition have supported this legislation, then they are as out of touch as the government and clearly have not thought through the hardship this may cause children who are already here due to the carrot of the baby bonus .