paid maternity leave - yep

[briggsy's girl]

i would say that it's waaaaaaaaaaaaay too early for the papers to "confirm" anything - it will be budget dependent, and the budget isn't until May next year!

media hype about these things honestly *****s me to tears! if it doesn't come direct from the government (ie, appearing on FAO website or similar) i'd take it as media INTERPRETATION of suggestions put forward - not FACT


for what it's worth, the productivy commission website are showing this as a DRAFT and is open to public comment up until November 14, so NO, it's NOT confirmed at all

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

ah good, thanks. I'd be pretty unhappy if this was the final arrangement

[briggsy's girl]

if you google productivity commission maternity leave, you can link to the report - it's HUGE

one thing i noticed just on reading one section, is that it's NOT a case of getting paid parental leave PLUS baby bonus (maternity allowance or whatever title) - it's either or. baby bonus equivalent stays tax free, parental leave is taxable. if you're eligible for mat leave from employer, you won't get paid parental leave (so it's not a double up) - but you can choose to have the baby bonus equivalent. the paid parental leave will reduce FTB eligibility as it's taxable

now, i read three pages - that's it - and i can assure you it's a hell of a lot more complex than the papers are portraying! so i suggest, unless you're prepared to read the whole thing, and comment appropriately (fact, not emotion), that we just wait it out! this is by no means the final call on what will happen

[Rachel]

I agree Briggsy's girl...I googled it and read the first 35 pages...I stopped at this as there are 317 pages! It is very interesting reading and does cover a lot of things. But..it is exactly what it says...a draft...for people to read and submit their suggestions...this could be changed and drafted numerous times before the final draft is submitted and a decision is made.

It does address it's reasons for offering the paternity scheme to working mother's only...it is well written and makes sense..but it also points out that stay at home mother's will still have a financial gain.

So, if interested and want to comment...best you read the document. Can never believe what the media states!

[AliBaby]

Nothing is confirmaed yet. And I wouldnt believe the papers anyway- too much speculation. Briggsy's Girl is spot on. it has to be passed at the budget which isnt until May next year and then IF it is passed then it probably wont start until July 09 (start of financial year). Knowing our goverment I doubt this will be the final plan. There wil be alot of negotiating, arguing, etc before anything is changed.