Paid maternity and primary care giver leave now 18 weeks

Minister Hargreaves is pleased to announce the delivery of the Government's election commitment to extend paid maternity and primary care giver leave to 18 weeks and to double paid bonding leave.

"The 2009-10 Budget provided funding of $7.06 million over four years to extend paid maternity and primary care giver leave for ACT public service employees, "said the Minister.

"The increase, which covers all ACT Government agencies, puts the ACT ahead of the Federal Government as well as ahead of other states and the Northern Territory. This is the nation's most generous whole of government paid maternity leave scheme for State and Territory public sector workers," said MrHargreaves.

"The investment would help keep the ACT public service the employer of choice for young working families."

"The ACT Labor Government understands that some workers struggle to find an appropriate balance between work and family commitments," Mr Hargreaves said.

"This boost will give working mothers and fathers access to better conditions within the ACT public service and the flexibility they seek when raising a family.

"The scheme will enable the ACT Government to provide an additional four weeks paid maternity and primary care giver leave for qualifying ACT public service employees on top of the current 14 weeks paid leave," said Mr Hargreaves.

"As part of the initiative, the Government will also double its paid bonding leave to two weeks."

"I anticipate that more people will be attracted to work in the ACT public service because of our flexible work arrangements and family friendly conditions.

"This extension to paid maternity and primary care giver leave will continue to position the ACT Government as the employer of choice for young working families," Mr Hargreaves said.

"In addition to the new 18 weeks paid maternity leave, women in the ACT public service can access up to three years of unpaid leave following the birth of their child and work part-time for up to three years after maternity leave."