CPSU members and staff were in a crowd of about 200 people who braved heavy winter rain in Sydney today to rally in support of paid maternity leave.Australia is one of only two developed nations – the other being the USA – that does not provide paid maternity leave. Ironically Australia once led the world on this issue, having introduced a maternity allowance in 1912.
Today’s rally was organised by Marie Claire magazine and speakers included the NSW Minister for Women Verity Firth, Democrats Senator Natasha Stott—Despoja and Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank.
In an impassioned speech Ms Firth pointed out that under WorkChoices the situation for women wanting to have children is even more difficult than ever before.
See here for further information.
Have your say: Most CPSU members are already entitled to paid maternity leave but this is not the case in the wider community, with two-thirds of women having no access to any paid maternity leave. Should the Government extend paid maternity leave to all women in the workforce? Post a comment below.
