[Greens-Media] Newspoll shows Paid Parental leave is a must

[Lawson, Damien (Sen K. Nettle)]

Newspoll shows Paid Parental leave is a must

13 July 2007

The need for a national paid maternity leave scheme has been confirmed
by new Newspoll research Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said today.

The polling released today by the National Foundation for Australian
Women found 78% of Australian's want paid maternity leave.

"These findings further confirm the view of The Greens that a national
program of paid maternity leave is needed", Greens Senator Kerry Nettle
said.

"Working men and women and their children need and deserve better than
the current hotch-potch of inadequate leave entitlements and welfare
payments."

"The Greens policy is for 18 weeks paid parental leave with an option
for a further 34 weeks of unpaid leave plus a guarantee to be able to
return to their fulltime job or shift to part-time once the leave is
over."

"We have also committed to reviewing such a program after three years to
examine the feasibility of moving to 26 weeks of paid parental leave,
with 18 months unpaid."

"This polling confirms families are hurting and would support such a
policy."

"Labor and the government are all talk and no action. Parents need to
see some real commitments."

"Australia's lack of a national paid parental leave scheme is holding us
back as a nation."

For more information: Jon Edwards 0428 213 146