Learning module:
Making a nation Defining Moments, 1750–1901
Investigation 5: Making laws to make a difference?
5.6 1912 Money for mums: Maternity Allowance introduced
State Archives of New South Wales
Part of the aspiration of a White Australia was the need for women to have children and add to Australia’s population growth.
Childbirth was a dangerous time for women, and for babies. There was a very high rate of deaths of the children, and of their mothers.
If support could be given to allow women access to medical support and food, would that reduce the death rate, and benefit Australia through a more certain population growth?
1. What is a ‘maternity allowance’?
2. What was its value when it was introduced?
3. Who was excluded from it? Why?
4. How might the passing of such a law be connected to the granting of a vote to women in 1902?
5. What were seen as the likely benefits of the payment to women, especially those from ordinary working family?
6. What were its likely benefits to the nation?
7. How did the Act challenge attitudes that were common at the time?
8. What does this Defining Moment help you understand about the development of social welfare in Australia?
9. If you were advising the National Museum of Australia on an object that it could display to tell the story of this event, what would you suggest? (You can see what objects they actually have using the National Museum of Australia collections search)
