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The ACTU and the union movement believe that paid maternity leave is a fundamental human right that should be provided to all mothers. It will benefit mothers, family, the economy and business.
The ACTU has called for paid maternity leave to become a new national employment standard after the Productivity Commission hands down its findings in February 2009, and to put it in the May 2009 Budget.
Now, after 30 years of campaigning, it looks as if Australian women are finally about to win a universal paid maternity leave scheme. In September, after months of considering submissions and evidence from women themselves, the Productivity Commission released a model for a proposed 18 week scheme.
The Productivity's proposed model
- Paid leave funded primarily by the federal government at minimum wage rates ($543.78 per week); will be taxed.
- Employers to continue paying 9% superannuation on the paid leave.
- Available to all working mothers who have worked at least 10 hours a week on average over the previous 12 months, with the same or various employers.
- 18 weeks to be taken after any other paid maternity leave provided by the employer.
- 18 weeks must begin within 6 months of the birth of the baby.
- 18 weeks not available before the birth.
- 18 weeks cannot be taken at half pay.
- 18 week payment not available to “stay at home” mothers who will continue to receive the baby bonus and Family Tax Benefit part B (a lesser amount).
- 2 weeks paid paternity leave.
The proposed scheme is a great start but it isn’t perfect. In the next round of consultations with the Productivity Commission, the ACTU and unions want to see some fine-tuning.
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