Govt changes to parental leave on the way

3News 26 August 2015
The Government could present changes to paid parental leave, which would include premature, special needs and multiple births, within days, ACT leader David Seymour says.

It comes on the day Labour MP Sue Moroney’s Bill to give new parents an extra eight weeks of paid leave above the Government’s current policy will enter the House for its first reading debate today.

Paid parental leave increases from 14 to 16 weeks in April this year, then rising to 18 weeks in April next year.

ACT Party leader David Seymour says he won’t be supporting Ms Moroney’s Bill, but says negotiations are continuing with National to make further changes to the Employment Standards Bill, which would cover people in “special circumstances”.

The Bill was introduced into Parliament earlier this month.

Family First has backed the policy, saying the Government should value parenting and the role parents play during the early years of a child’s life.

“The political and policy focus has been on the needs of the economy, rather than on the welfare of children and the vital role of parents,” national director Bob McCoskrie says.
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/govt-changes-to-parental-leave-on-the-way-2015082614#axzz3jtHgshh5