Paid Maternity Leave: Howard Government Shows Its Colours

Media Statement - 13 September 2002

The Howard Government has shown it is against paid maternity leave and was never serious about introducing it.

Deputy Labor leader Jenny Macklin said Finance Minister Nick Minchin "just sees paid maternity leave as a cost to the taxpayer when in fact it is a benefit to the whole country."

"Australia should catch up with the rest of the world and introduce a national system of paid maternity leave," she said.

Ms Macklin said Labor is committed to introducing paid maternity leave.

"Australia is just one of two developed countries that doesn't yet have a paid maternity leave scheme. The fact is, paid maternity leave is important to making Australia a healthier and wealthier society," she said.

Ms Macklin said paid maternity leave meant mothers did not have to lose all connection with work while having and caring for a child.

"At the moment, Australia is losing a wealth of experience and ability every time a mother is forced to leave work to have a baby," Ms Macklin said. "Paid maternity leave means parents get the time they need to care for their child while employers retain the experience and skills of their workers."

"Paid maternity leave would boost the economy by reducing staff turnover and retraining costs, keeping productivity high and giving the country healthier, happier babies and families."

Ms Macklin said paid maternity leave was part of a range of options Labor was developing for families during the first five years of a child's life.

Ms Macklin said families were under incredible pressure to balance the demands of work with their family commitments, and options such as paid maternity leave, affordable and accessible childcare and flexible work arrangements would go a long way to relieve that strain.