Hon. Helen Morton questions the WA government on paid maternity leave for public servants. Hon. Jon Ford responds, highlighting existing parental leave provisions and upcoming increases, emphasizing the government's commitment to family-friendly workplaces.

AnsweredQoN 276Legislative Council
Asked
2 April 2008
Portfolio
Employment Protection

QuestionView source ↗

PUBLIC SERVANTS — PAID MATERNITY LEAVE 276. Hon HELEN MORTON to the Minister for Employment Protection: (1) Has the Western Australian government considered introducing paid maternity leave for public servants in Western Australia? (2) If yes, what was the outcome of those considerations? (3) If no, why not? Hon JON FORD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
PUBLIC SERVANTS — PAID MATERNITY LEAVE
(1) Has the Western Australian government considered introducing paid maternity leave for public servants in Western Australia? (2) If yes, what was the outcome of those considerations? (3) If no, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
(2) If yes, what was the outcome of those considerations? (3) If no, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
(3) If no, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
I thank Hon Helen Morton for some notice of the question. (1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.
(1)-(3) The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of paid parental leave for many years. Currently, there is provision for 12 weeks’ paid parental leave but from 1 July 2008, the quantum of paid leave will increase to 14 weeks. Furthermore, the government has introduced other initiatives including the ability to extend parental leave by taking it on half pay, improved flexibility about when paid parental leave can commence and enabling employees to share parental leave. This is indicative of the state Labor government’s continued strong commitment to family friendly and flexible workplaces.

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