Paid Parental Leave (PPL) affects women and men in different ways; it is not gender neutral. This submission responds to the terms of reference through a gender lens. NFAW is a strong supporter of PPL, and was part of the coalition that promoted the policy prior to the Productivity Commission Report1 (Productivity Commission, 2009) that led to the introduction of PPL. In that report the Productivity Commission identified the following commonly agreed objectives.
NFAW has made a submission to the Senate committee inquiring into the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Flexibility Measures) Bill 2020. The submission highlights that Paid Parental Leave affects women and men in different ways; it is not gender neutral. The submission responds to the terms of reference through a gender lens.
Paid Parental Leave (PPL) affects women and men in different ways; it is not gender neutral. This submission responds to the terms of reference through a gender lens. NFAW is a strong supporter of PPL, and was part of the coalition that promoted the policy prior to the Productivity Commission Report1 (Productivity Commission, 2009) that led to the introduction of PPL. In that report the Productivity Commission identified the following commonly agreed objectives
The Minister for Women has done a gallant job of extracting some money from the Government for women. However, $109 million over 4 years is roughly $26m a year. You cannot do much to increase women’s economic security on an investment of around $26m a year. You have to pad it out with old budget initiatives and do what you can on the cheap.
The PLP has been in operation for seven years. In view of the forthcoming election and the recent modest changes proposed by the ALP, NFAW believes it’s time for a comprehensive re-examination of the PLP.
Impacts of Government proposals to cut family benefits. 1.1 million families will lose FTB-A Supplements of $726 per child.
The National Foundation for Australian Women deplores both the content and process of the Bill now before the Parliament. We urge the Parliament to reject the Bill.
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 has a strong policy of support for women to make their own life choices – to choose to be a home maker, to choose to do paid work, to choose part time work if that is a real choice. Responsibility for bearing and rearing children, rightly or wrongly falls mostly on women.
