Media Release

26 July 2012

26 for Babies – Coalition launched to extend paid parental leave

The campaign to extend paid parental leave received a big push today, with the launch of the 26 for Babies coalition at parliament today, attended by 26 babies and toddlers.

Spokesperson Deborah Morris-Travers says that increasing paid parental leave beyond the current 14 weeks enjoys broad community and political support.

“26 for Babies brings together child and parent advocates, breastfeeding organisations, health bodies, and representatives of women and working women in a campaign focused on our smallest citizens – newborn infants.”

“Every parent and grandparent knows that 14 weeks is very early to be sending babies out into the world and that we should do more to support families to care for their babies at home in the early months of life,” says Ms Morris-Travers.

“Paid parental leave enables a mother or father to invest time in the health, wellbeing and secure attachment of their infant.”

“We congratulate Labour MP Sue Moroney on promoting the bill to take paid parental leave to 26 weeks and are thrilled to support it. We also congratulate all the MPs who voted to pass Sue’s bill at its First Reading last night. Now the bill is going to Select Committee, the public can make submissions and all of the social and economic benefits of longer paid parental leave can be considered.”

“26 for Babies will be working to encourage the Government to ensure that the objective of Sue Moroney’s bill is achieved: longer paid parental leave in the interests of babies and their families. All political parties need to work together to make this a reality.”

“26 for Babies will also be encouraging participation in the submission process for the bill and promoting the benefits of paid parental leave in the wider community,” concludes Ms Morris-Travers.

ENDS

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