Burgmann rallies women on maternity leave
This year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Why Aren’t We There Yet” could be all the more fitting following rumours the Government will dump the long-awaited paid maternity leave scheme from the May Budget.
City Councillor Dr Meredith Burgmann will be leading the ranks at the Women’s Day rally in Hyde Park this Saturday, urging the Government not to shelve the project.
‘I recognise that we are in the middle of a financial crisis ‘ it’s a hard ask. But it would in fact be a stimulus to the economy, if you gave young parents money, because at a time when they need it most they’re not going to be saving it,’ said Dr Burgmann.
Ms Burgmann said that women couldn’t wait any longer on the issue, noting that Australia was one of the only developed countries without a paid maternity leave scheme.
‘Places like Rwanda have paid maternity leave and we don’t,’ she said.
Last week over 100 prominent female leaders gathered in Canberra to fight for the protection of the scheme.
The Women’s Day rally will begin outside Sydney Town Hall at 11am, where participants will head north along George Street before gathering in Hyde Park.
International Women’s Day is on Sunday March 8.
