It is time to pay mums

A number of key business and industry groups have endorsed my Bill including the Council of Small Business of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Hotels’ Association, and Business and Professional Women.

We do not need to debate the economic feasibility of this model: We know that 14 weeks leave would cost much less per year than the billion dollar baby bonus - when key business and industry groups, not to mention unions and women’s organisations, support such a scheme.

It is an indictment on successive governments that Australia remains one of only two OECD countries without paid maternity leave.

In Sweden, women enjoy 16 months paid maternity leave at government expense; the British guarantee 39 weeks paid leave for working mothers, and even in Pakistan women can receive an income while they are caring for their newborn. Hopefully, before too long, Australia will be in this league - but we must start somewhere.

I have expressed my dedication to paid maternity leave for more than a decade in Bills before the Parliament and constant advocacy. It is now time for the new Government to show some leadership and move to finally get things right for working mums in this country.