Following the Federal Government's introduction of Paid Parental Leave and the Dad and Partner Pay schemes over recent years, we are surveying workers who have accessed or tried to access assistance from them, or plan to in the near future. This will help us respond to the upcoming Government review of the schemes and with future campaigning to ensure these schemes meet the needs of workers with new families.
The ASU has always advocated the strong link between family responsibilities and paid work. After at least 40 years of active campaigning, parents can now maintain skills and income through the Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay schemes.
The Gillard Labor Government's Paid Parental Leave Scheme started 1 January 2011. Unions continued lobbying after that and the scheme was expanded in 2012 to include leave for the non-primary caregiver - dads and partners no longer have to justify asking for time off work when their new baby arrives.
The Federal Government is to review the schemes and we'd like your input to help us contribute to the review.
What do you think about the schemes?
>> Please take part in our survey today
The Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay schemes provide up to 18 weeks payment at the federal minimum wage and eligible parents include part-time or casual employees. The ability to combine that with provisions in collective agreements allows many ASU members at least 12 months paid parental leave.
When the Paid Parental Leave and Dad and Partner Pay schemes were being developed, unions lobbied extensively to shape the schemes with things like employer top-ups to payments. The Government did not include all of them and we said we would continue to lobby for you. Fulfilling a promise to all Australians, the Gillard Government will now review how the scheme is working.
We will use your feedback to let the Federal Government know what you think. Please follow the link to our survey and watch this space for a report back!
>> Please take part in our survey today
Find out more about right to request flexible work arrangements here.