[Greens-Media] Labor and Liberal combine to oppose paid maternity leave

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

14.06.07

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today moved a motion in the Senate to
support the introduction of a national paid maternity leave scheme.
The motion was voted down by the Labor Party, the Coalition parties and
Family First.

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

"How can Labor and Liberal claim to be family friendly when they can't
even support a simply motion to support maternity leave.

"We welcome the 'Push It' campaign calling for a mandatory paid
maternity leave scheme being run by the Marie Claire magazine.

"The Greens policy is for 18 weeks government funded paid parental leave
with an option for a further 34 weeks of unpaid leave plus a right to
return to work on a part time basis once the leave is over."

Senators Nettle and Senator Stott Despoja: To move-That the Senate-

(a) notes that Australia and the United States of America are the only
two Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries
without a national paid maternity leave scheme;

(b) congratulates Marie Claire for its 'Push It' campaign calling for
mandatory paid maternity leave; and

(c) calls on the Government to legislate for government-funded paid
maternity leave.


Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146