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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

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  6. Maternity Allowance Act 1912

Maternity Allowance Act 1912

A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page and the handwritten words ‘10th October 1912’. The final page has been signed by the ‘clerk assistant’ and by the Governor General. It is bound with a blue ribbon and a red wax seal.
A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page and the handwritten words ‘10th October 1912’. The final page has been signed by the ‘clerk assistant’ and by the Governor General. It is bound with a blue ribbon and a red wax seal.
A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page and the handwritten words ‘10th October 1912’. The final page has been signed by the ‘clerk assistant’ and by the Governor General. It is bound with a blue ribbon and a red wax seal.
A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page and the handwritten words ‘10th October 1912’. The final page has been signed by the ‘clerk assistant’ and by the Governor General. It is bound with a blue ribbon and a red wax seal.
A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page and the handwritten words ‘10th October 1912’. The final page has been signed by the ‘clerk assistant’ and by the Governor General. It is bound with a blue ribbon and a red wax seal.

Details

Learning resource record

Creator:

Attorney-General's Department, Central Office

Date:

1912

Citation:

A1559, 1912/8

Keywords:

  • women's rights
  • feminism
  • Andrew Fisher
  • law

About this record

The Maternity Allowance Act 1912 provided a payment of five pounds to new mothers—the equivalent of two weeks wages.

Mothers of Indigenous Australian, Asian, Pacific Islander or Papuan (including modern day Papua New Guinea) heritage were not eligible for this payment.

A maternity allowance was an election commitment of the Fisher Government, designed to lower infant mortality rates and to increase the white population of Australia. The allowance was intended to cover medical costs.

Related themes

Theme

Gough Whitlam - Addressing the National Press Club.

Prime ministers and politicians

Discover records about past prime ministers and politicians and the major events and policies of their governments.

Theme

Women's rights demonstration in Melbourne to mark International Women's Day, 8 March 1975.

Gender and sexuality

In 1902, Australia became the second country to pass laws enabling women to vote. Discover how events and attitudes have shaped men’s and women’s roles and our views on gender, sexuality and marriage.

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