There is a lot of discussion about the Government and Oppositions new parental leave policies. Because we know you’re busy, we’ve put together a summary of the key similarities and differences between the two.
The Government policy is for 18 weeks. The Opposition policy is for 26 weeks.
The Opposition will pay the parent their usual salary for up to six months.
The Government policy is set to commence on the 1st January 2011. The Opposition’s at this stage is a policy that would need to be passed into legislation and then implemented.
The Government will pay the parent the average Australian wage for 18 weeks.
Despite the higher paid and longer period promises from the Liberal party, their parental leave policy is not without a catch for the wider community. The Government plans to fund their parental from existing taxed funds; while the Opposition plans to place a 1.7% levy on businesses that have a 5million+ turnover, approximately 3200 businesses nationwide.
Many members of the business community have already expressed concern over essentially making some businesses pay for other smaller businesses employees parental leave. However those of you inside big business will know there are big costs every time key employees walk out the door – so if this helps retain people and knowledge within the organization that cost could be recouped many times over.
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