Young Labour Women's Group

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Comment by Fiona Clayton on November 21, 2009 at 2:19pm

Hmmm - and just reviewing my statement, not just chaps, but anyone in a parenting or caregiving role.

Comment by Fiona Clayton on November 14, 2009 at 3:58pm

Well a prime concern is post natal depression. We know its pretty common - and debilitating. So what is a chap supposed to do - make inroads into his sick leave / annual leave / time in lieu. From what I can gather that is exactly what happens. Discrimination around mental health perhaps?

Comment by Jasmin Teague on November 14, 2009 at 8:51am

I'm curious to know if ther is something in place for fathers if something happens the the mother in the first few weeks after a birth? I know its unlikely but these things can and do happen. Would there be something to give them financial security in such a setting for the same amount of time? After all the whole purpose of the bill is surely that parents get what they feel is of most importance to their child... A parent to bring them up?

Comment by Fiona Clayton on November 14, 2009 at 8:43am

That's an interesting point of view. It is worth remembering that not all parents want to stay at home for the extended period of time, and it highlights how crucial the economic decisions are for parents - the issue in common is that there is little choice in the existing scenario - but that's certainly a detail for us to look out for if Sue M's bill gets onto the table. Incidentally I do recommend going to http://grassroots.labour.org.nz/forum/topics/20-hours-free-child-care-to-go and to join the discussion there - your comment Lauren might have some resonance with that discussion. Copied your response Kate - hope you don't mind.

I had had a gutsful of National and its ACC charges yesterday so I channelled that onto my Facebook and sent off a newsfeed to as many parents as I have on my contacts including highlighting Sue M's bill. Think the idea of getting the discussion into everyday life is a great one.

Comment by Lauren Jayne Hourigan on November 3, 2009 at 8:46pm

Hey guys

My best mate just had her second baby and has actually taken the baby to work. We had a really interesting conversation the other night in which she raised something I wasn't aware of. While the idea is that you recieve 80% of your income the income is actually capped at the equivalent of minimum wage for 40 hours per week. Her preference would actually be to recieve closer to her actual income for a shorter period of time than extending the length of paid parental leave. Just wondering if there are any parents on here who have experienced something similar or have a different viewpoint?

Comment by Kate Sutton on October 26, 2009 at 10:56pm

Hi team

Sue Moroney List MP and chair of the Womens caucus has a private members bill in the ballot for 6 months Paid Parental Leave.

The Bill proposes to move to 18 weeks paid parental leave on January 1, 2011, then 22 weeks on January 1, 2012; and finally 26 weeks (six months) on January 1 2013.

Based on 2008/09 figures, it would cost $40m additional funding in each phase.

There are a few things labour party members can do to support this and to take it further
1) Discuss it with your friends and groups - if its seen as "expected" or normal when it gets pulled out the ballot the campaign has already begun and it will be easier to discuss with people.
2) support the bill when it is drawn through events and activities - putting pressure on Nat MPs etc
3) Put remits through your regional conferences to extend PPL to a year etc and put forward arguments why so that all party members are educated etc. Remits come from branches and LECs if you are not sure of the process talk to your chair or YL can put them forward.

Thats a good start I think. I hope this helps.

Comment by Brittany on October 26, 2009 at 10:20pm

It makes me jealous to look at countries like Sweden, where there is 16 months paid parental leave per child!!!! A minimum of 2 months out of the 16 is to be used by the "minority" parent, e.g the father.

Bulgaria has 100% paid maternity leave for one year.
I am finding it hard to locate Labour's parental leave policy, so if anyone could help clarify that would be fab!

Comment by Fiona Clayton on October 26, 2009 at 6:26pm

- sorry mouse slipped - the choice to return to work or to take the time to parent without stressing about making ends meet and who gets to be their childs primary caregiver in the crucial first two years (incidentally I am not advocating that all parents should stay at home for these two years - it is absolutely personal choice - but I do want to see this choice equally shared by all parents.)

Comment by Fiona Clayton on October 26, 2009 at 6:24pm

Can someone bring me up to date on Laabour's parental leave policy? I know that we are chasing 6 months maternity leave but where is the campaign for this at?

Incidentally I travelled to Copenhagen recently for an environmental history conference and there were young parents (yes lots of Dads) and prams everywhere! Quite obviously different from NZ - a number of the foreign delegates I talked to noticed it. We were all quite freaked out. So I asked a waitress what was up...8 months paid maternity leave was the answer. Well at the moment that is something we NZ women can only dream of. And no - I'm not pregnant, and not even planning. This experience simply brought home the rather unhappy reality for NZ Mums and Dads at the moment. I have plenty of friends who are first time parents who have to make such ridiculously touch decisions when it should be simple - the choice to retu

Comment by Brittany on May 5, 2009 at 10:20pm

Good on you John. It's awesome to have diversity in the group and I'm sure you will contribute some fantastic ideas :)

Brittany

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