The treasurer Jim Chalmers has called on Australians to have more babies.
Okay Jim, fair enough, babies are cute and all, and we love them, but they are not free.
First of all they need somewhere to live, and with the price of houses and ever-escalating rents, that’s a pretty basic requirement that’s hard to find right off the bat. The average house in Sydney is now $1.6 million, Jim. Hardly chump change for a young family who may have to live off one income for a while.
Babies eventually also need something to eat, and we all know how much food prices have increased in the past few years.
And then when they are older, they need childcare. Do you know how much that is Jim? That’s an average of $70-$185 per day. Per day, Jim. Unless you are some sort of high roller, that’s one income gobbled up pretty damned quick.
And governments of all persuasions essentially force us take out private health cover through taxation rules. But that doesn’t make it free.
Private obstetricians generally charge out-of-pocket fee of between $3000-$5000. That doesn’t count all the scans and tests you need. Just the bare amount you must pay to get a doctor to turn up.
And then the extras Jim, like if you need a caesarean. And don’t be like my doctor who scheduled a paediatrician examination without my knowledge or permission, which I had to pay $175 for.
No Jim, try and sort out affordability for housing, food and healthcare before you expect to young people to start having more babies.
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