The Australian government's key adviser on women's issues proposed on Wednesday that working women should get paid leave for one year, with new fathers getting six weeks paid leave.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said the scheme would bring Australia into line with its human rights obligations and European standards on paid maternity leave.
Broderick proposed a two stage plan for paid maternity leave.
Stage one, beginning immediately, would give working women 14 weeks paid leave at the minimum wage of 522 dollars (500 U.S. dollars) a week before tax. Stage two, beginning in two years, would give mothers and fathers a share in an extra 34 weeks of paid leave, at two-thirds of the mother's previous income.
The scheme would benefit 300,000 working mothers, according to Broderick.
Non-working mothers would not get paid maternity leave but would still receive the 5000 dollars (4800 U.S. dollars) baby bonus and other family benefits.
Maternity leave is not mandated in Australia, but is left to the discretion of the employer.
Source:Xinhua
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