Update: March 2010

For the lastest commentary of the Coalition’s Paid Parental Leave plan:
•    check out Marian Baird’s interview on Radio National’s Life Matters program.
•    Read the National Australian Foundation for Women’s article and open letter to members of Federal Parliament
•    Join our Facebook Group Women Won’t Wait for more discussion and debate

Catalyst congratulates the many organisations and individuals who worked hard to make paid parental leave a reality for Australian working parents. Although we are disappointed the scheme will be delayed until 2011 this remains a significant step for young mothers or fathers who will now receive up to 18 weeks government funded maternity leave.

Despite this achievement Australia still lags behind much of the developed world where standards are much higher. The World Health Organisations recommends a minimum of 26 weeks and many countries go beyond this – Canada: 28 weeks, United Kingdom: 39 weeks, Sweden: 47 weeks.

Catalyst will continue to campaign for best practice policy which places the health of children and parents at the centre our society.

Community support still strong for paid parental leave

The federal government can be confident that there is continued community support for a paid parental leave scheme despite the worsening economic climate.

A national Auspoll survey released recently has found that two out of three Australians think the government should use the next federal budget to fund a scheme.  Catalyst was one of the five organisations that sponsored the poll.  To see the results [click here]

Read the joint media release [9th April 2009] here

Read Senator Sarah Hanson-Young's media release on the poll here

Latest News

• Costings reveal paid parental leave affordable despite downturn, The Australian, 9th April 2009
• Poll backs paid parental leave, ABC, 9th April 2009
• Maternity leave will 'boost economy', Sydney Morning Herald, 9th April 2009

Bringing Dads into the debate

Catalyst thinks its time for a new conversation about work and families. David Alonso Love has interviewed four dads about parenthood, gender roles and achieving the work/family balance. Read his article Parents These Days.

Read Jo-anne Schofield's opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, In a man's working world parental leave should be about fathers, too 1st October 2008

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave & Catalyst's submission

• Catalyst Australia's response to the Productivity Commission's draft report
• Submission by Catalyst Australia to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave.
• A Summary of Catalyst's submission "Leave Accounts: win-win solution to childcare"

For other submissions to this inquiry go to The Productivity Commission website.

Catalyst In the Media on Parental Leave

• Poll backs paid parental leave, ABC Radio News & Online, 9th April 2009
• On 3rd March 2009 Catalyst's response to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Lisa Pryor was published. You can read it here.
  
• Catalyst Executive Director, Jo-anne Schofield was featured in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Newcastle Herald on the draft report into paid parental leave system for Australia.  She argued that it’s time for a new conversation about work and family – one that involves men as well as women.  Read her article in the Sydney Morning Herald here. Read the Newcastle Herald Article here.

• Listen to 2UE’s interview with Jo-anne Schofield about the Catalyst submission

• Leave accounts: win-win solution to child care - ABC News Online (Opinion section), 23 April 2009
  

• Parental Leave 'accounts' scheme mooted - Australian Financial Review, 22nd May 2008

• Women would be the losers - Daily Telegraph, 22nd May 2008

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