I think what's changed with the IR laws is you can no longer just get paid out your holidays.. you have to actually take leave. (not 100% on that.. but i think that's it). They're encouraging us to actually TAKE our holidays, a lot of people just ask for the money, but keep working (don't know why tho!! LOL).

The only other way to get your leave paid out, is to resign. Is maternity leave paid leave? (I wasn't employed when got pg.. so don't know ) If it's not, and you don't plan on returning to that work, why don't you just resign, and get all your entitlements paid to you?

Of course, if it's paid maternity leave then I completely have the wrong end of the stick.. i'm sorry! lol.