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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-06 Daily Xml
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Dads Alliance Action Group

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:45): In January, I read a couple of newspaper articles about paid parental leave, which motivated me to do some checking on the entitlements available to fathers. The articles describe how a newly formed dads' alliance group, which has some high-profile supporters, including Red Wiggle Simon Pryce, comedian Hamish Blake and Bluey voice actor David McCormack, is launching a five-point action plan to help children thrive in their first five years of life.

The Dads Alliance Action Group is backed by the Minderoo Foundation and former SA Premier Jay Weatherill's Thrive by Five campaign. One of a few issues that the Dads Alliance Action Group is focused on that was outlined in the media report is for more help for fathers wanting to be active and caring parents. We all know how stressful juggling work and family responsibilities can be, especially for new parents.

In 2011, the parenting landscape changed with the introduction of paid parental leave. This was a game changer for Australian families. Twelve weeks of paid leave for the primary caregiver, fully funded by the then Gillard Labor government, was introduced, which included six weeks of flexible leave for dads and partners. At this time, many employers were not offering paid leave schemes, so for the first time parents had stability and support at a time of great change in their day-to-day lives.

In July 2023, the 12-week paid parental leave (PPL) period and six weeks of flexible PPL was removed and replaced with a single 20-week payment. This 20-week payment can be shared between parents after the birth or adoption of a child. From 1 July 2024, the scheme will be expanded by the Albanese federal government by two weeks each year, until PPL reaches 26 weeks in 2026, giving families a full six months of paid leave.

The expansion means that up to 22 weeks of leave will be available for one parent, with four weeks reserved for the other parent. Parents will have more flexibility, as they can now have four weeks leave together instead of two. These new structural changes allow parents to use their PPL in the way that works best for their family within a two-year time frame. Single parents can access the full entitlement.

In Australia, small businesses are required to comply with state or federal regulations regarding parental leave. The taxpayer-funded PPL scheme is a minimum entitlement designed to complement employer-provided leave; therefore, it does not act in substitution. The Dads Alliance Action Group I referred to is motivated to encourage employers and employees, unions and businesses to look at a more generous scheme on top of this minimum entitlement.

It is promising that data collected by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows the portion of businesses providing their own paid parental leave has increased over the last decade. Although implementing paid parental leave for fathers may pose a financial burden and present new challenges for our small businesses, the benefits of improved employee wellbeing and staff retention have the potential to contribute to their long-term success.

Small businesses may also begin to attract top talent and create a competitive edge in recruitment by supporting work-life balance. I very much hope the improvement to PPL, along with the new dads' alliance movement, helps to normalise the idea that men are able to spend time bonding and sharing responsibilities with their newborn or newly adopted child. Labor knows that, by investing in PPL, we benefit our economy and set a positive example for future generations for a more equitable and supportive society.

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