The Member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, today announced the details on how families in Melbourne’s West can start benefiting from the new assistance as soon as the scheme begins.
“Dad and Partner Pay starts on 1 January next year and will give eligible dads and other partners two weeks paid leave at the national minimum wage, which is currently about $606 a week,” Mr Shorten said.
“This extra support will give new dads the financial security to take some time off work when their new baby is born.”
“They will be able to spend that time at home helping mum and bonding with their newborn in those critical early weeks of a child’s life.
Mr Shorten said Dad and Partner Pay extends the Government’s historic Paid Parental Leave scheme, which has been supporting local families since January 2011.
“We know local mums have really benefited from this country’s first ever national Paid Parental Leave scheme, introduced by Labor,” Mr Shorten said.
“About 1200 families in the area have applied for Paid Parental Leave since it was introduced last year.
“And we know that for a lot of low paid, casual and part-time workers, this is the first time they have had this kind of support when a new baby is born.”
“The birth of a baby is a time of great joy, but it can also be stressful. This new payment should make it easier and more practical for dads and partners to be at home supporting mum and baby, instead of rushing straight back to work,” Mr Shorten said.
To be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay, dads or partners must:
- have worked at least 330 hours (just over one day a week) in 10 of the 13 months before the start of their Dad and Partner Pay period, with no more than an eight-week gap between two consecutive working days;
- have earned $150,000 or less in the previous financial year; and
- be on unpaid leave or not working and be helping to care for the child during their two weeks of Dad and Partner Pay;
Mr Shorten encouraged expectant parents to apply early for both Dad and Partner Pay and Paid Parental Leave.
“You don’t need to wait until the birth of your baby to start thinking about getting this extra support. You can apply up to three months before the expected birth date or adoption.
“It’s a great idea to get the paperwork sorted now, so that when the time comes, you can spend less time worrying about the finances and more time at home with your new baby.”
To find out more about how to apply for Dad and Partner Pay, visit www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/dad-and-partner-pay or call 13 61 50.
[ENDS]
Suburbs in the Maribyrnong electorate include: Aberfeldie, Airport West, Albion, Avondale Heights, Brooklyn (part), Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Kealba, Keilor East, Keilor Park, Maribyrnong (part), Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, St Albans (part), Sunshine, Sunshine North and Tullamarine (part). Media Contact:
Jayne Edwards
Kieran Barns-Jenkins 9326 1300
