Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

First meeting of Paid Parental Leave implementation group

The Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave Implementation Group met for the first time in Melbourne today.

The implementation group will help ensure a smooth roll-out of the scheme to working parents and in particular, employers who will provide the Government-funded parental leave pay to their employees.

The implementation group includes members from representative bodies, including the:

  • Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees Association
  • Australian Council of Trade Unions
  • Unions NSW
  • Business Council of Australia
  • Australian Mines and Metals Association
  • Australian Industry Group
  • Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Council of Small Businesses of Australia
  • Human Right Commission – Sex Discrimination Commissioner
  • Early Childhood Australia
  • National Foundation for Australian Women

In addition, three large employers of women – UnitingCare Australia, the National Australia Bank and Woolworths – are on the group to provide advice based on their first-hand experience with the scheme’s roll-out.

The group also includes representatives from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Centrelink.

Australia’s first Government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme begins on 1 January next year.

Applications opened on 1 October for parents expecting a baby on or after 1 January next year. As at 8 October the Family Assistance Office had received 129 applications, including 23 on the opening day of applications.

The Government consulted widely with employers, community groups and unions over the last two years before the scheme was legislated in June this year.

I thank the members of the group for providing their expertise and time to help implement the first Government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme for Australian families.

For more information on the Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme visit Family Assistance Office website.