Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Productivity Commission’s Paid Parental Leave report

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister
    The Hon Wayne Swan MP, Treasurer

The Australian Government today received the Productivity Commission’s final report into paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.

The report details a proposed scheme for paid parental leave in Australia.

In accordance with the Productivity Commission Act, the report will be tabled in the Parliament within 25 sitting days.

The Productivity Commission released an interim report in September for further consultation.

Last February, the Rudd Government asked the Productivity Commission to examine ways the Government could provide improved support to parents with newborn children.

The Productivity Commission was asked to look at the economic, productivity and social costs and benefits of paid maternity, paternity and parental leave, as well as the health and developmental benefits of any scheme for babies and their parents.

The Rudd Government will carefully consider the report in the budget context.