MEDIA RELEASE

Have your Say on Paid Parental Leave

Canberrans will have an opportunity to voice their views on the Productivity Commission’s draft interim report into maternity, paternity and parental leave at a consultation session hosted by the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women tomorrow (WEDNESDAY).

The National Foundation of Australian Women and Security 4 Women received a grant from the Commonwealth Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek to facilitate the discussion on the interim report and draft recommendations.

Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women Veronica Wensing encouraged members of the community to attend the consultation session tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12, from 10am to 12noon, at Pilgrim House, Civic.
“While most female workers in Australia are entitled to 12 months unpaid maternity leave, only about 40 per cent have access to paid leave,” Ms Wensing said.
“Paid maternity leave is important for the health and wellbeing of women and children and a key factor in women’s labour force participation.”

Ms Wensing said that in terms of access to paid maternity leave Australia lagged behind other developed countries.
The Commission recommended the Federal Government adopt a taxpayer-funded leave scheme which would pay the primary caregiver at the minimum wage rate for 18 weeks of parental leave. The Commission’s report is available is available at www.pc.gov.au

Media contact
Veronica Wensing
Chair, Ministerial Advisory Council on Women
Mobile: 0408 380 085