'Do it for your country'
2004-05-11 20:09
Sydney - Proud Australians are being asked to carry out a new patriotic duty - go forth and multiply.
Sky News has reported that each Australian is being tempted with A$3 000 for every baby born after June.
"You go home and do your patriotic duty tonight," encouraged Australian treasury minister Peter Costello.
The treasurer has put aside an A$19.2bn family package for the next five years.
He said two youngsters a couple, in a nation of 20 million, just was not enough.
"If you can have children, it's a good thing to do," said Costello.
"You should have one for your husband, one for your wife, and one for your country."
Some would have to go one step further by having extra children "for your country".
This was to make up the gap left by friends "who are not even replicating themselves", said the former lawyer and father of three.
- News24