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AUSTRALIA 
Australian en route to population growth
Wednesday, 6 August, 2008
Australia is in the grip of a baby boom according to the Productivity Commission. (AAP)
Australia is in the grip of a baby boom - although the baby bonus and other federal government payments are not responsible.
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The Productivity Commission has released a report which found the fertility rate is at its highest level since the early 1980s, at 1.93 babies per woman.
Around 285,000 babies were born last year.
The report found government benefits like the baby bonus only had a modest influence on the fertility rate.
Rather, women were having more babies because of the strong economy, greater access to part-time work, and more flexible work arrangements.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said government payments may not be boosting fertility but they were important for parent and child wellbeing, and would continue.
"The report confirms the Rudd government's commitment to ensuring payments and working arrangements support families' choices," Ms Macklin said.
"We understand the significant pressures on working families including the costs of raising children and the need to gear family support to the best interests of children."
The report found an increase in teenage births in the Northern Territory around the time the baby bonus began, which Ms Macklin said was concerning.
Source: AAP/SBS
Click here for more science and technology stories
The Productivity Commission has released a report which found the fertility rate is at its highest level since the early 1980s, at 1.93 babies per woman.
Around 285,000 babies were born last year.
The report found government benefits like the baby bonus only had a modest influence on the fertility rate.
Rather, women were having more babies because of the strong economy, greater access to part-time work, and more flexible work arrangements.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said government payments may not be boosting fertility but they were important for parent and child wellbeing, and would continue.
"The report confirms the Rudd government's commitment to ensuring payments and working arrangements support families' choices," Ms Macklin said.
"We understand the significant pressures on working families including the costs of raising children and the need to gear family support to the best interests of children."
The report found an increase in teenage births in the Northern Territory around the time the baby bonus began, which Ms Macklin said was concerning.
Source: AAP/SBS
