Paid maternity leave report

NFAW welcomes the Interim Report of the Productivity Commission on a national system of paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.

This Interim Report brings us as a society closer to having a sound set of policies for working parents.

In particular, we express our appreciation that the Rudd Government has responded to our campaign during 2007 to have this issue referred to the Commission for a report on the best options for bringing in a scheme, one which would place children at the centre of policy, as well as meeting the needs of working parents.

It was clear from the Newspoll survey of June 2007 that this is something close to hearts of Australian families.

NFAW will now work with women's organisations and their members to promote informed debate about the options put forward by the Commission, and to encourage as many responses to the Commission as is possible in the time frame.

We will produce a summary document about the options within the next ten days, which will be made available through our web site, and through the distribution networks of the women's organisations across Australia. A round of capital city consultations will begin mid-October in Brisbane.

Media inquiries: Marie Coleman 041 4483 067