UPDATE: Sunday 10th May, Mothers’ Day – This morning, the Treasurer announced that this year’s budget would include a paid parental scheme of 18 weeks. While it’s not everything we called for, it’s a huge step forward for Australian families. Congratulations!
Australia is one of only two developed countries without paid maternity leave. The Government is currently deciding on whether to include paid parental leave in this year’s Budget but unless there’s overwhelming community support they won’t.
Join over a dozen prominent organisations in this campaign by adding your name to the petition below calling for a real commitment to Australian families:
Dear Mr Swan and Ms Macklin,
The Federal Government must invest in the future health and well being of Australian families by creating a scheme of at least six months paid parental leave, ideally twelve months. It is time we brought Australia up to international paid parental leave standards.”
The petition will be presented to Parliament this week – help with the final push and get it to 45,000!
45,368 have joined this campaign – help us get to 50,000.
We have achieved 90.74% of our goal. Let’s keep going!
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Paid Parental Leave
More than a dozen prominent Australian organisations have signed onto a joint statement advocating a minimum of six to twelve months paid maternity leave.
Read the joint statement here.
Want to know more about this issue? Read our handy factsheet.
Our partners in this campaign:
Unions NSW
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Association of Lactation Consultants Australia
The Child and Family Health Nurses’ Association
Dr Marion Baird
CareerMums
Early Childhood Australia
Families Australia
National Association of Community Based Children’s Services
National Investment for the Early Years
The Federation of Parents and Citizens Association of NSW
The National Pay Equity Coalition
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People
The NSW Midwives Association
The Young Women’s Christian Association
Child and Family Health Nurses Association
Get Up!
YWCA
Australian Confederation of Paediatric and Child Health Nurses (NSW Branch) Inc
The National Foundation for Australian Women
Gosnells Early Years Action Group