Govt Paid Matt Leave V's Baby Bonus?

[Jakabella]

Ok so DH and I will be trying for number 2 this year, but as money is tight and I had to go back to work PT to make ends meet.
So the plan was to wait till mid year and TTC as then bub woould be born in 2011 and the Govt Paid Matt leave would be in - seeing as I work for a private company there is no paid leave and I used all my AL up when Bella was born so little leave to take.

But as I am imaptient I was thinking what are the main differences with the Paid Matt Leave and the Baby Bonus??

I have heard the paid leave is alot more $$ than the BB - is that the case??

(I feel terrible admitting that we may have to put off having a bub to get the paid leave - makes me sound like im a money hungry gold digger - but im not! I just want to be able to provide for my family!!

Kate

[Jakabella]

[Cupcake]

Im interested in hearing this one too! Not that it will effect me (govt paid mat leave)

Dont feel bad or feel like you are 'money hungry' we are the same in that i have no idea how we will go financially when i stop work, DPs wage covers rent & bills just need to figure out the rest hehe.

[whoops]

I was told that paid maternity leave is minimum wage of around $500 ish a week compared to $300 and something a fortnight baby bonus.

[*Ali*]

Here is a link to the booklet about the scheme

http://home.deewr.gov.au/Budget/docu...PPLBooklet.pdf

I hear ya on the impatient to start, we have to wait as well, not for the paid parental leave scheme to kick in, but for me to finish my contract at work so I can get my permenancy. It just so happens for me the 2 coincide. I know the exact date that we can start TTC

[Muppity]

'Realistically there is going to be very little difference between the two payments once everything is taken into account.

The differences will be that the maternity leave payments will count as income for every purpose so you will pay tax on them and they will be counted when calculating all the Centrelink benefits like FTB Parts A and B. The Baby Bonus (or Maternity allowance or whatever it is called these days) doesn't get counted towads any of these things.

It is really just a nice way for Uncle Kev to make some headlines and feel good without actually costing the governtment any real money.