TWU Calls for Paternity Leave Action

Date: 02 May 2002

Following reports the Government is assessing the cost of a National Scheme of up to 12 weeks paid maternity leave for women, TWU State Secretary Tony Sheldon has launched calls for an extended period of paternity leave for men.

"While the ACTU's campaign for a minimum of 14 weeks paid maternity leave has our full support and the Government's response to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward's report is encouraging, it is important that we extend the debate for parental leave to include new fathers," Transport Workers Union State Secretary Tony Sheldon said today.
"In today's work force and families, fathers are increasingly sharing the burden of caring for new born children and easing the pressure on their wives and partners. This needs to be recognized," Mr Sheldon said.
"In the transport industry at present there no provisions for new fathers to be able take paid paternity leave, although they can take up to a week off unpaid following the birth of a child."
"If the Government is serious about making a real commitment to working families, and encouraging families to have children it has to recognize that this is just not good enough," Mr Sheldon said.
"To be able to play an effective role as modern fathers, and take an active part in the life of their young child, men need to be able to access a period of paternity leave."
"In the transport industry we will be surveying both our male and female members over the upcoming weeks to find out what they think is reasonable amount of paid paternity leave for men in the aim of preparing a industry wide claim in the near future."
In the interim we are calling on the Government, industry and community groups to seriously consider the need to paid paternity leave as part of the current maternity leave debate," Mr Sheldon said.

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