Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

One-off baby payment an idea whose time may have arrived

By Malcolm Turnbull - posted Sunday, 15 September 2002


We spend millions urging people to give up smoking, to drive without drinking and to lose weight. We spend billions supporting single-parent families and the social consequences of family breakdown.

But we do far too little to promote marriage and discourage divorce. Sex education in schools has taken on a new intensity in the context of AIDS. Yet we do not provide instruction about marriage, conception (as opposed to contraception) or divorce.

* No-fault divorce is here to stay (for good or ill), but should we not consider instituting more extensive preparation for marriage and a different, less unilateral, approach to divorce when small children are involved?

Advertisement

Or should not couples have the right, as they are able to do in some parts of the United States, to contract to a higher standard of marital commitment so that they voluntarily agree to make divorce harder?

* Unemployment and underemployment of breadwinners is, of course, devastating for families.

There is a substantial body of evidence that our over-regulated workplace actively works against the interests of low-income families because, by raising the bar to employment, they make it harder for the less skilled to get a job at all.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

This article was originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on on September 19 2002. It is an edited version of a lecture given by Malcolm Turnbull at Sydney University on September 17. The full text of the article can be downloaded from here (PDF file, 170Kb).



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Malcolm Turnbull is is the federal Leader of the Opposition and member for Wentworth. You can see his web site here: www.malcolmturnbull.com.au

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Malcolm Turnbull
Related Links
Menzies Foundation
Photo of Malcolm Turnbull
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy