Alternative Law Journal

Media Release
30 October 1997

A Fair Go for Mothers???

How the law treats mothers is a crucial test of women's equality. The October edition of the Alternative Law Journal questions whether the law gives mothers a fair go.

In `Who's rocking the cradle?', Therese MacDermott argues that without access to maternity rights at work, there can be no equality of opportunity. She questions whether Australia is meeting its international obligations in this area, as only 17% of working women are entitled to paid maternity leave.

Juliet Behrens examines the recent reforms to the Family Law Act. She argues that the assumption of shared parenting behind the reforms fails to address the reality that women still bear the primary burden of caring for children. And Jenni Millbank reports on a recent legal development in the recognition of lesbian families.

In their article on Australia's immigration laws, Dominique Hansen and Marg Le Sueur argue that while the requirements of the Family Migration Category appear to be gender neutral, in fact, they have an unfair impact on women.

Hansen and Le Sueur say: `The Coalition Government has tightened the Family Migration Category which will increase the pressure on the poorest migrant women. For example, the new `balance of family test' limits options for unlawful immigrant mothers of Australian children. In many cases, this will lead to women remaining `underground' where they are vulnerable to abuse from violent partners and unscrupulous employers.'

The Alternative Law Journal is a forum for alternative views on social issues and the law.

Also in this issue of the Alternative Law Journal:

• My home is my haven, my home is my workplace - outworkers
• Superannuation - not a motherhood issue
• Counselling records, relevance and sexual assault trials
• The Victorian Children's Court - judicial independence

DATE: 30 October 1996