Imagine a juggler on a tightrope performing gymnastics, and then think of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into paid maternity leave. With the commission’s draft report due at the end of this month, the impact of whatever the resulting family-friendly policy turns out to be is coming under intense scrutiny.

For the first time, paid maternity leave is being examined in a jurisdiction not essentially focused on equity. The commission is required to come up with a set of objectives and recommendations the federal government is widely expected to act upon.