MEDIA RELEASE KMM/070914
Business Women Welcome Paid Maternity Leave Amendment to Work Relations Bill
Sydney 14 September 2007
Business and Professional Women Australia (BPWA) strongly supports Senator Natasha Stott DespojaÕs Workplace Relations Amendment Bill, Guaranteeing Paid Maternity Leave, for a period of 14 weeks and to be fully funded by the Federal Government.
BPWA President Kay Morrison said that paid maternity leave (PML) should be universal and available to all working women not just a select few.
ÒWe are totally behind this Amendment and hope that all government parties give it their full support. Up until now the recipients of paid maternity leave have been scarce, coming mainly from the public service, several banks and other select industry sectors, which is very unfair. BPW is keen to see all working women throughout Australia, whether they are office workers, farmersÕ wives, retail staff, lawyers, or small business owners receive the same benefit,Ó Ms Morrison said.
ÒMany of our members are small business owners and todayÕs announcement comes as a welcome relief ensuring the viability of their businesses.
ÒPML is a family friendly issue which must be supported by government to ensure equity and the future growth of our country. BPW has been lobbying government to establish an equitable and workable paid maternity leave scheme for all women in the workforce whether they are full time, part time or casual employees.
ÒThe Amendment will be a solution to bring Australian families to the same level of support as families in other OECD countries,Ó she said.
Business and Professional Women (BPW) is an international organisation that educates and informs women, undertaking research and projects aimed at improving the status of women. BPW lobbies governments at all levels including the United Nations where it holds Special Category Status on current and emerging issues of importance to women.
For further information please contact:
BPWA President Kay Morrison 0411 372 164