20 October 2022
The ANMF (SA Branch) welcomes the Albanese Government’s plan to increase Paid Parental Leave by an additional six weeks, bumping it up to six months’ paid leave by 2026.
The Government will begin boosting Paid Parental Leave by two weeks from July 1, 2024, rolling it out to 26 weeks by 2026.
Currently, parents can access 18 weeks of Paid Parental Leave at minimum wage as well as two weeks of secondary carer leave.
Under the new plan, single parents will be able to take the full six months of paid leave and two-parent households will be able to decide how they split their entitlements.
The Government says the new PPL model will motivate fathers and secondary carers to divide the responsibility of childcare more evenly.
It says the move will also drive economic growth. “The full and equal and respectful participation of women in our economy is our nation’s greatest untapped resource,’’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Families will have access to more leave and enjoy greater flexibility, with extended PPL able to be taken in blocks between periods of paid work.
Importantly, the Government will maintain ‘use it or lose it’ weeks to encourage and facilitate more dads and partners to access PPL, so that both parents can share the caring responsibilities more equally.
The inaugural Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, will examine the optimal model for 26 weeks and what mix of flexible weeks and use it or lose it component for each parent will deliver the best outcome for families and encourage more shared parenting.
The ANMF and the Australian union movement have for years campaigned for additional Paid Parental Leave to help bridge the gender pay gap.
“This latest move is an important step towards achieving gender equity both in the workplace and at home,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
“Currently the overwhelming majority of Paid Parental Leave recipients are women. Having greater leave flexibility and encouraging men to share in parenting duties will empower more women to remain in the workforce should they choose.
“The ANMF (SA Branch) is a staunch advocate for gender equality. It is why we have advocated for gender neutral language in the public sector EBA,’’ Mr Dabars said.