Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says that now more than ever, government-funded paid parental leave is a must to adequately support Australian families.

Senator Hanson-Young has responded to statements from Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan that recent global financial events could delay the introduction of such a paid parental leave scheme for Australia to beyond 2009.

“The Rudd Government, despite its track record of voting along with the Liberal Party against such a scheme, was encouragingly enthusiastic about being the Government to introduce paid parental leave when the Productivity Commission recommended it do so last week,” she said.

“Fast-forward a week, and rather than the priority paid parental leave was made out to be, it’s now been tossed into the too-hard basket.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens will push for 26 weeks’ paid parental leave, saying that such a scheme will provide better support for parents and babies.

Yesterday the Greens welcomed the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for a government-funded 18-week paid parental leave scheme as a positive step in the right direction that was long overdue for working parents.

“Twenty-six weeks of paid parental leave is what the Greens are bringing to the table in this debate,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“Twenty-six weeks’ leave following the birth of a child is what working parents need for a healthy and happy experience of birth and bonding.

“What the Greens are calling for is backed by a broad range of stakeholder organisations, from unions, to women’s groups and health organisations.”

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young today welcomed the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for a government-funded 18-week paid parental leave scheme, saying that such a proposal was long overdue for Australian workers.

The recommendation was made in the Productivity Commission’s initial report into paid parental leave, based on more than 250 submissions, which was released today.

“A paid parental leave scheme should be a no-brainer for the Government,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has backed Parliamentary Secretary for Early Education and Childcare Maxine McKew’s call to reduce the current childcare ratio to one carer for every three babies.

“The Greens have long called for nationally consistent childcare standards, and to achieve carer-to-child ratios of at least one-to-three for children up to two years old, and one-to-four for children older than two years,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

Currently in Australia the dominant standard is one carer for every five babies.

Senator Hanson-Young also rejected claims by children’s author Mem Fox this week that placing young babies in formal care was a form of child abuse. “All Australian families should be able to access affordable, quality childcare if they so wish, without being made to feel guilty,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

South Australia’s first-ever Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, vowed to put the Murray River at the top of Canberra’s agenda when she was sworn in today.

Senator Hanson-Young, 26, makes history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Federal Parliament, and is the youngest member of the current Parliament.

“It’s been a nine-month wait since the election results were declared, and I am incredibly honoured and excited to be here in the chamber today, able to put South Australia’s issues front and centre,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

The Australian Greens today outlined their vision for Australia in the new century ahead of the opening of the Balance-of-Power Senate.

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, said a record 1.17 million people voted Greens at the last election, and the five Greens Senators were ready to work constructively with all parties to respond to the challenges of the new century.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the Federal Government’s Guest Worker Pilot Scheme announced yesterday, but stated that the rights of workers must be protected.