The Wire

While Rudd has pledged to increase the government subsidy for child care from 30% to 50%, neither party has promised to introduce universal paid maternity leave for all women, Australia is one of two countries in the OECD that does not have a national system of paid maternity leave. Democrats Senator Natasha Stott- Depoja has introduced new legislation that would give all working women 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. The pay would be based on the minimum working wage, with the employer able to increase the amount. With the election coming each of the major parties’ stance on maternity leave will directly affect the success of the bill.