MacLaren v Australia (123/2017) Views of 23 February 2023

123/2017 concerning changes to social security benefits preventing access to parenting payment for single mothers

The author alleged that Australia violated articles 2(d) and (f), 11(e) and 13(a) of the CEDAW through the introduction of Welfare to Work legislative reforms, arguing that, by preventing payments for single parents once their child turns 8 years old, these reforms indirectly discriminated against women, as the majority of payment recipients are single mothers. The Committee found the matter inadmissible.