Doctors suggest alternative to Australia's 'baby bonus'
Updated
Two doctors in Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland say indigenous mothers should be given special "baby packs" instead of a cash payment, known as the Baby Bonus.
Our reporter, Liam Fox, says the proposal is one of many contained in a paper written by general practitioner, Lara Weiland, and paediatric surgeon, Rob Heazlewood, on indigenous disadvantage.
They say the Baby Bonus has been extremely damaging in Cape York communities leading to more teenage pregnancies and men using violence to force partners off contraception and to hand over the bonus.
Instead they propose handing out baby packs containing things like nappies and formula as an incentive for children to have regular health checks.
The Queensland state premier, Anna Bligh, backed the proposal after meeting the doctors last week and hopes it will be operational by the end of the year.
Other proposals include establishing a statewide statutory indigenous health body, as well as one-stop early childhood centres.
The Baby Bonus is a lump sum payment from the Australian government to help families with the costs associated with having a new baby.
