[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - Greens move for six months + super in paid parental leave scheme

[Simms, Robert (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Saturday, 29th May 2010

Media Release 

Greens move for six months + super in Paid Parental Leave Scheme 

The Australian Greens will be moving to give working parents protection
and certainty when the Government's Paid Parental Leave Scheme comes
before the Senate, Senator Hanson-Young has confirmed today. 

"There are a number of deficiencies in the Government's plan; from its
failure to actually guarantee leave, to defying World Health
Organisation standards and dudding working parents out of
superannuation. Many parents are concerned that the Government is not
delivering on what it promised," said the Greens' Spokesperson for the
Status of Women, Senator Hanson-Young. 

"A mere 18 weeks means Australia would lag behind other countries with
Paid Parental Leave -  we need 6 months, in accordance with the
recommended minimum from the World Health Organisation." 

"There's also a need to ensure that superannuation is rolled into the
scheme to bridge the retirement gap between men and women." 

"Perhaps most disturbing is the failure to guarantee leave. If an
employee has been working for less than 12 months, they are eligible for
the payment but they have no guarantee they can return to their job if
they take leave." 

"The leave needs to be guaranteed under the Fair Work Act - it's
fundamental to any Paid Parental Leave Scheme being a true workplace
entitlement." 

"The Greens want six months Paid Parental Leave, with super and a
guarantee that parents will keep their jobs. We'll be moving these
amendments when the Bill comes before the Senate, to  ensure families
get the best possible scheme to support them." 

Further detail on the Greens amendments is available on request. 


Media comment: Robert Simms - 0427 604 760 


Robert Simms  
Adviser 
Community Liaison & Campaigns 
Office of Sarah Hanson-Young 
Greens Senator for South Australia 
Ground Floor, Telstra Building 
30 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000 
Ph: (08) 8231 9911 / Fax: (08) 8211 7533
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