paid maternity leave - yep

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

I don't know if this has been posted somewhere else? Sorry if it has, I couldn't see it anywhere.

Productivity Commission proposals for 20 weeks of government funded paid parental leave would bring relief and financial security to tens of thousands of families, the ACTU says.

Under a taxpayer-funded scheme proposed by the Productivity Commission today, mothers would be able to take 18 weeks paid maternity leave and fathers two weeks, or vice-versa.

?Working women right across Australia will be smiling today,? Australian Council of Trade Unions president Sharan Burrow told reporters.

?Eighteen weeks of paid maternity leave and indeed two weeks of paternity leave allowing fathers and partners to be part of the birth process, this is terrific news.?

The commission recommends the leave be paid at the minimum wage of $544 a week and replace the $5,000 baby bonus.

Ms Burrow said the recommendations were a first step. The ACTU would continue campaigning on a number of issues, including non-working mothers receiving an equivalent 18-week payment and allowing women to take 36 weeks paid leave at half rates.

The ACTU would ask employers to top up the government-paid minimum wage to make up recipients? actual income.

?Employers get off lightly because their only contribution in this model is to pay the superannuation,? Ms Burrow said.

Under the commission?s recommendations, the employer would pay for workers? nine per cent superannuation entitlements.

Ms Burrow said she hoped the government accepted the recommendations and introduced the changes next year.

MELBOURNE
AAP

What I read in todays paper, was that this is indeed happening, but rather than replacing the baby bonus, it will be as well as the baby bonus AND the paid maternity leave is only available to women working a certain amount (10 hrs a week I think) in the last 12 months before their baby was born, and Dad will be eligible for 2 weeks paternity leave. . . wtf? It doesn't make much sense to me. Paid paternity leave is fantastic but why the hell should it only be available for women who met the work criteria?! What does the mothers work have to do with paternity leave?! That's ridiculous. The whole thing sounds very strange. Does anyone have some actual definitive information about this? I'm getting different info from different places.

[satya]

As far as I know it's only a recommendation. It doesn't mean it will ever happen.

[Cricket]

What is the current maternity leave situation in Australia? Do you not have any paid mat leave? In Canada, a mother may take 12 months of mat leave, during which she will receive about 50% of her regular pay (paid by the gov't.) Her position must be held for her during this time. I believe the father may take the same - but between the two they cannot take more then 12 - so they can each take 6, or she can take 8, and him 4, or whatever.
We also receive a "baby bonus" that is given every month until the child is 18, and is based on income (for our family, with 3 kids, its about $230/month). And there is a "child care supplement" which is $100 per month for every child under 6 years old, not based on income, whether you are working or not. It is simply given to anyone with kids under 6, so that they can stay home if they want, or pay for child care.

[briggsy's girl]

Cricket - there is no federally funded maternity leave in Au at all

[AliBaby]

I believe that it should only be paid for women who work as otherwise it isnt "leave" as such.

I do however think that for women who dont work before their baby is born shoul still receive the baby bonus. And fathers taht work should receive the 2weeks paternity leave if they are working as well. I know my DP owns his own business and if he doesnt go to work then we are stuffed as he doesnt have holiday leave or anything to take.

It is a very complicated system.

[Pandora]

I believe that it should only be paid for women who work as otherwise it isnt "leave" as such.

I do however think that for women who dont work before their baby is born shoul still receive the baby bonus. And fathers taht work should receive the 2weeks paternity leave if they are working as well....

I agree.

I also think mums who get paid mat leave from the govt should get it in place of the baby bonus, which should only go to mums who dont qualkify for paid maternity leave.

[Cricket]

Cricket - there is no federally funded maternity leave in Au at all

Out of curiousity, roughly how much are you taxed? We have about 20% or so, deducted from DH's paycheque (I realize that is different for different income levels) and then we have a 5% federal sales tax on most items and an 8% provincial sales tax as well. So our tax rate is relatively high, I'd say, by the time all is said and done, but for that we do get health insurance which covers a fair bit - including private midwives and homebirth - (though not optometrists or dentists or chiropractors), and a good baby bonus/mat leave, as I mentioned. I'm generally not in favour of high taxation and wealth redistribution as a rule, but I do appreciate the value that our government puts on young families this way. (I guess you could say that I'm against other people getting my money, but I like getting theirs! Hardly a consistant position. )

[briggsy's girl]

depending on income, tax can be up to 50%

we're also taxed goods and sales tax of 10% on all services, and most goods (base ingredients are ok, but processed foods are gst inclusive), all clothes etc

we pay a medicare levy on taxes, amount dependent on income and whether you have private health insurance

Australians are fairly heavily taxed - we DO have family tax benefit which is income dependent - child care benefit (also income dependent), and a fairly well established welfare system - but we're one of the only "wealthy" countries (along with the US i believe) that has no federally funded maternity leave payment

[Cricket]

I'd say there's room to encourage some priority shifts in the government. Financially stable young families are pretty important to the over all economy of the nation, and the government would have an interest in encouraging that.

I think I did underestimate our tax situation somewhat - we are probably closer to 30% taken off the pay cheque, and that is in our tax bracket. I'd say we are average middle class. Comfortable, but nothing excessive. More wealthy people are taxed at a higher rate, and people with a lower income are at a lower rate.

Anyways, my thought remains - maybe some letters could be written encouraging the government to direct some funds towards young parents, especially in enabling mothers to stay home with their babies (and breastfeed!) for a year.

[Sair]

Hahaha I would like to see Rudd turn back on his 'Working Families' thing Our current PM wants mums back at work sooner rather than later. I didn't realise we had all that benefit in Canada.