The Coalition Government is giving greater choice to Australian families by making parental leave pay more flexible.
Each year thousands of parents return to work before they have used up all of their Government-funded Parental Leave Payment, losing the unused portion.
The new policy will allow families to split their parental leave payments into blocks of leave, rather than having to take it all at once.
Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien MP said that the change will offer real choice and flexibility so parents can determine what works for their families.
“The Federal Government understands that women and their families want more choice and we know fathers also want to have more time with their children, so we are providing more flexibility in paid parental leave,” he said.
The new policy will apply to all parents of children born and adopted on or after 1 July 2020.
The new initiative is part of the Government’s $109 million Women’s Economic Security Package, which will help to break down the barriers to women’s economic security.
“While we have taken great strides in recent decades, women still earn less than men, work part-time at over twice the rate of men, and retire with 42% less superannuation,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Coalition is serious about improving women’s economic security because we know that when women do well, their families do well, and our economy and nation prospers.”
“The Government can deliver on its commitments because they are backed by our plan for a stronger economy.”
For more information about the Women’s Economic Security Package, visit: www.pmc.gov.au/wess