Changes to paid parental leave and a $1.3 billion down-payment on the new plan to end violence against women headline the Coalition’s pitch to female voters. | Report by katinacurtis federalbudget budget2022
New parents will be able to choose how they split 20 weeks of paid parental leave, but overall won’t have more time to spend with their babies under changes the government plans to introduce within a year.
At the moment, the primary carer of a new baby – overwhelmingly mothers – can get 18 weeks’ leave paid at the minimum wage and their partner can take two weeks.Under the budget plan, the two schemes will be combined and parents will be able to decide how they split the 20 weeks. Most of those who have put forward proposals advocate a scheme where each parent can access six weeks’ leave plus a further 12 weeks to be split as they wish, offering a total of 24 weeks. They say a use-it-or-lose-it program would encourage more new fathers to take leave, leading to better economic security for women.
It includes $240 million to continue a program started last year that offers cash payments and financial assistance of up to $5000 to women escaping violence. This is expected to help 37,500 people over the next three years.
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