Researchers at the Australian National University have recommended that the nation’s Paid Parental Leave policy be ‘refreshed’ to encourage more men to take advantage of the family entitlement.
The researchers say change is needed because even though all new fathers are entitled to take the leave, 10 years after its introduction only two per cent do.
The researchers argued that a revised policy was needed to help drive cultural change to encourage more fathers to take parental leave.
Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Liana Leach said there was a need to create a more gender-equitable and flexible policy.
“The scheme is not flexible enough for mothers and fathers,” Dr Leach said.
“The 18 weeks’ minimum pay can be transferred to fathers, but this is rarely done because it is received by the primary carer,” she said.
“As the policy stands, parents need to make a decision about who the primary carer is in the family, and thus the leave is only transferred to fathers in about two per cent of cases.”
She said there was a stigma around dads taking parental leave.
“Lead author of the report, Belinda Townsend, said the policy was borne out of multiple struggles, including the role of women in society and questions over who would pay for a scheme.
She said the decision in Australia for a Government-funded scheme with voluntary top ups from employers was a pragmatic one amid employer resistance to having to pay.
“Australia’s welfare state evolved to favour male employment and has historically ignored issues for women and work,” Dr Townsend said.
“This was a landmark social policy in Australia that has led to improvements for health. However, inequities in access remain. It was always intended as a minimum model that would be built upon over time.”
The researchers presented their research at the Next Steps for Paid Parental Leave forum yesterday (22 August).
