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Australian mums paid $900 a week to help with housework

Media release: 27 April 2011

In a landmark development, Australian mums can now be insured for the unpaid housework they perform.

From today, Million Dollar Woman is offering Australia's 2.1 million mums1 up to $900 a week to pay someone to do their cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping and child care if they are injured or fall ill.

The need is stark, with approximately 1.4 million Australian women hurt so badly in the last six months they were unable to perform essential housework2.

"This has taken 100 years but the housework that Australian mums perform every day is finally being recognised and valued," Million Dollar Woman Chief Executive Lynette Argent said today.

"This unpaid work is crucial to the Australian economy as it has traditionally allowed the primary breadwinner to dedicate themselves to their paid job.

"We will insure housework for as little as $2.50 a day3. This has never been offered in Australia like this before."

Newspoll research reveals that of the 8.6 million Australian women aged 18 and over, approximately 1.2 million were injured so badly in the last six months they were unable to clean their own house.

Other common household duties they were unable to perform include shopping for groceries (970,000), laundry (800,000), cooking (770,000) and caring for their children (250,000).

Key research findings

 

  • Dislocations, sprains, torn muscles or ligaments (15%) were the most common injuries, followed by serious cuts, open wounds or bruising (12%).
  • Falling was the most common cause (27%), closely followed by ‘hitting something' or being ‘hit by something' (20%).
  • Generation Y (18-34) and Gen X (35-49) are more accident prone, and also more likely to administer their own medical treatment when compared to Baby Boomers.
  • Western Australian women (34%) are more accident prone than those living in Queensland and South Australia (both 25%).

"For more than a century products have been offered that cater for the main income earner of a household, typically men, if they get sick or injured," Ms Argent said today.

"We will pay women up to $900 a week if customers are hurt or ill, which could be spent on a cleaner, cook, nanny or to pay someone to do their grocery shopping while they rest and recover. Ultimately the choice is theirs.

"Million Dollar Woman is a new brand that helps mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and girlfriends embrace financial security and independence."

Million Dollar Woman's Day-to-Day Living Expenses Cover is available for around $2.50 a day and will pay out up to $900 a week for up to 13 weeks4 each time the policyholder is sick or injured.

The process is also supported by a new and hassle-free claims procedure and is based on the policyholder's ability to perform their normal domestic responsibilities.

All they need is confirmation of their condition from their doctor.

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Media enquiries
Adam Connolly - 0417 170 084
Ben McAlary - 0459 809 402

 

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