Australia is at a much-needed turning point in work, care and family policy. Australian women, families and communities are struggling to manage the complex demands of work and care.
Rapid social and demographic change, alongside new workplace, labour market trends and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires a policy revamp that will allow all Australians to work, care and be cared for.
In seven chapters authored by leading scholars in the field, At a Turning Point: Work, care and family policies in Australia provides a comprehensive account of key policy areas that shape the experience of work and care across the life course. These include reproductive wellbeing, paid parental leave, early childhood education and care, flexible work, elder and disability care, and equitable systems of tax and transfer payments.
At a Turning Point argues that a new social contract that puts gender equality, economic security and the well-being of carers and those they care for at the centre of policy design is essential to national productivity and prosperity.
It is the foundation of a good society.
Preface by Marian Baird, Elizabeth Hill and Sydney Colussi Chapter 1: The Australian policy context: Opportunities for a new social and gender contract by Elizabeth Hill and Marian Baird Chapter 2. Reproductive policies: An expanding approach to work and care by Sydney Colussi, Elizabeth Hill and Marian Baird Chapter 3. Parental leave policy: Time to grow by Marian Baird and Gillian Whitehouse Chapter 4. Early childhood education and care: Policy renewal for strong foundations by Elizabeth Hill, Elizabeth Adamson and Deborah Brennan Chapter 5. Flexible work policy: Building “good flex” across the life course by Rae Cooper, Frances Flanagan and Meraiah Foley Chapter 6. Informal care policy: Needs of older people and people with disability or chronic illness by Myra Hamilton, Sara Charlesworth and Fiona Macdonald Chapter 7. Tax and welfare policy: Removing embedded gender inequalities in work and care by Miranda Stewart Contributors Index
