The Government is considering extending its counselling voucher scheme to first-time parents.
In a move a few weeks ago, Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews has talked up plans to fund universal parenting programs, possibly linked to the antenatal classes parents-to-be usually attend. He said such taxpayer-funded parenting classes could help couples with the difficulties and pressures they face in raising children.
“We know that having a child is a tension point in a relationship so it seems to me that we may be able to encourage an integration of what is traditional antenatal — which is about the birth and all of that — with some relationship education as well,” he said.
Child protection groups believe parent education programs have a ‘very significant impact on lowering instances of child abuse’ and have supported the proposal.
