Senator Trish Crossin said “This year’s budget is fantastic news for women right across the Northern Territory”.
Date: 13 May 2009
Senator Trish Crossin has welcomed this year's Federal Budget and its historic support for women and their families.
Senator Trish Crossin said "This year's budget is fantastic news for women right across the Northern Territory".
The government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme will provide the primary carer with 18 weeks post-natal leave, paid at the adult federal minimum wage (currently $543.78 per week), set to commence on 1 January 2011.
"This will be of great benefit to low and middle-income families. Finally, mums will get the support that they deserve." Senator Trish Crossin said.
"We think it's a very important social economic reform. It goes to the heart of work and family life in this country, and the fact that we must value the relationship between a mum and a newborn child."
Other announcements made in the Federal Budget to benefit women and their families are:
- Mothers to receive Medicare rebates for Midwifery Care
- Access to PBS for midwives
- National collaborative maternity care guidelines
- Indemnity for midwives
- Measures to enhance the access of rural and remote women to maternity care as close as possible to their home community
- A national telephone support service for pregnant women and mothers of newborns.
"These announcements will make it much easier for women to access continuity of care and will be crucial in helping to close the gap of disadvantage that indigenous mothers experience." Senator Trish Crossin said.