Introduction

The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) is a non-politically aligned feminist organisation committed to examining the potentially differential impacts of policies and their outcomes for men and for women, and whether the consequences of policies, intended or unintended, may adversely impact on women.

This is our third submission to Government in relation to paid parental leave (PPL) legislation. Our recommendations have not changed. Our key points, supported by Productivity Commission research, are that are PPL is an employment issue; that employers should have a role in providing and administering PPL payments; that 26 weeks leave is minimal if the health interests of mothers and newborns are considered; and that payments should include superannuation. NFAW supports full income replacement during PPL.

NFAW believes that the current scheme provides a reasonable basis for building a PPL scheme for mothers, newborns and their families. We cite medical, economic and cost evidence for our submission below.

The Government’s Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill, on the contrary, is a thinly disguised savings measure intended to wind back PPL rather than to improve it over time.

READ FULL PAPER