Parental leave

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says that now more than ever, government-funded paid parental leave is a must to adequately support Australian families.

Senator Hanson-Young has responded to statements from Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan that recent global financial events could delay the introduction of such a paid parental leave scheme for Australia to beyond 2009.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens will push for 26 weeks' paid parental leave, saying that such a scheme will provide better support for parents and babies.

Yesterday the Greens welcomed the Productivity Commission's recommendation for a government-funded 18-week paid parental leave scheme as a positive step in the right direction that was long overdue for working parents.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young today welcomed the Productivity Commission's recommendation for a government-funded 18-week paid parental leave scheme, saying that such a proposal was long overdue for Australian workers.

South Australia's first-ever Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, vowed to put the Murray River at the top of Canberra's agenda when she was sworn in today.

Senator Hanson-Young, 26, makes history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Federal Parliament, and is the youngest member of the current Parliament.