Village Voice News - Community - Local launch for parental leave campaign

A campaign calling on the Federal Government to implement a six month paid maternity leave scheme was launched in Five Dock this month.

The Unions NSW campaign calls on the Rudd government to introduce six months paid parental leave whether parents work full time, part time or stay at home.

Drummoyne MP Angela D'Amore attended the launch and said she had heard from women in her electorate about the difficulties they faced balancing family and employment.

"It is something that the Federal Government has to legislate," Ms D'Amore said.

Ms D'Amore said the campaign would also benefit businesses.

"Employers today spend a lot of money training their staff and if they do not go back to work because of family obligations, that's money lost," she said.

Five Dock mother of three Rachel Hennessy attended the launch to support the campaign.

Ms Hennessy has taken maternity leave from her teaching job following the birth of her four-month-old daughter, Sassica.

But when her twin boys were born five years ago she was in a contract rather than permanent role and maternity leave was not an option.

Ms Hennessy said paid maternity leave made a big difference for her.

"The main thing for me is that I don't feel as guilty about being with my baby. The six months of half pay I have means I am not just bludging off my husband. It gives me more independence," Ms Hennessy said.

"It is something I would like to see available to all mothers. I have friends who do not have maternity leave and for those on contracts some of them don't have jobs to go back to," she said.

Mary Yaager from Unions NSW said that in Australia two thirds of women have no access to paid maternity leave.

The six month period was in line with World Health Organisation guidelines on how long newborns should be breastfed for, she said.

The campaign coincides with the Federal Government productivity commission review, and Ms Yaager said she hoped the report addressed maternity leave.

For information on the campaign, visit www. council.labor.net.au.