There is a clear and pressing need to modernise paid maternity leave
arrangements to support new parents in Australia and in the federal public
sector.
GC notes that, while there have been massive changes in society and work over
the last 35 years, paid maternity leave entitlements in the public sector have
remained virtually unchanged.
As all parents know, the first six months of a new baby’s life are critical.
Put simply, 12 weeks paid support is just not enough. It is now time to take
a stand for what is really needed to support new parents.
GC is calling on the Rudd Government to act as a model employer and set the
standard for the Australian community.
Therefore GC resolves to achieve 26 weeks paid maternity leave in 5 years.
We commit to engaging with members and the broader Australian community to
campaign to achieve this target.
As milestones to achieving our objective, CPSU establishes the following
campaign goals for the whole of the public sector of:
a minimum of 14 weeks paid maternity leave by 2009
a minimum of 20 weeks paid maternity leave by 2011
a minimum of 26 weeks paid maternity leave by 2013
