Approximately 9,000 people and their families will be impacted by the policy's removal. For these people, the removal of the policy means increased flexibility to spend time with their children in the first thousand days of their lives, which is a critical time period for a child's long-term development. It also means increased equity and simplicity in the welfare system, a reduction in stress and a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, and eligibility for additional financial assistance for some clients. For those parents who do want to work earlier, they will still have access to employment support and be supported to transition into the workforce. 