Calls grow for maternity leave

Jenny Macklin. Pic by: Stuart McEvoy

Momentum is building for 14 weeks' government-funded paid maternity leave after the nation's peak union body said its introduction was a crucial first step for working mothers.

While the Rudd Government has referred the issue of paid maternity leave to the Productivity Commission, which is not due to report until next February, debate has begun about the appropriate model for Australia.

A proposal by the Community and Public Sector Union to introduce six months' maternity leave was rejected yesterday by ACTU president Sharan Burrow, who said 14 weeks at the minimum wage was more reasonable, at least initially.

"The question of whether six months is better than 14 weeks is a no-brainer," Ms Burrow said. "But the international minimum standard is 14 weeks and in the spirit of reasonableness - given that 70per cent of women don't have paid maternity leave - let's see that first step."

Families Minister Jenny Macklin said the CPSU's six-month demand was likely to stretch the Government's budget too tight. "We do recognise how important it is to provide that additional support to families when a new baby comes along,'' Ms Macklin said yesterday.

"(But) I think it's unlikely that we'd be having an affordable 26 weeks. I think the vast majority of countries around the world have something around the 12- or 14-week period."

Australia is one of only two developed countries without a universal paid maternity leave scheme, the other being the US.

The Australian, Mar 31, 2008