PM Transcripts

J,, U S T R IA Press Statement No. 68
3 April 1973
MATERNTTY LEAVE
Cabinet today decided that all pregnant officers
and employees, irrespective of whether they are married or
unmarried, and irrespective of whether they were pregnant
or not when first employed by the Commonwealth, shall have
the right to receive at least 12 weeks' maternity leave
on full pay. This leave is to commence six weeks before the
expected date of confinement and shall continue for six
weeks after the date of confinement.
Each permanent officer proceeding on leave of
absence for maternity purposes, must be re-employed at the
end of her period of leave ( which may extend to 52 weeks,
inclusive of leave without pay) in her former position or
in a position at a level as near as possible to the
position held by the employee at the commencement of her
maternity leave.
Temporary employees returning from maternity
leave shall be given preference of employment over any
other person seeking employment with the Commonwealth.
male employees will be provided with additional
leave of one week with pay at the time of birth of a child
where the employee requires the leave to take care of the
mother and/ or children during the immediate post-natal days.
Legislation will be introduced as soon as possible
to extend the new provisions to all Australian Government
employees. These benefits will apply from 1 January 1973.
These benefits will not be dependent upon union
membership. CANBERRA, A. C. T.