Baby Bill sure to get parental approval

Parents will have more quality time to bond with their new-born babies under a Bill introduced in Parliament by Labour MP, Sue Moroney.

“My members’ bill, titled the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill, will extend paid parental leave from 14 weeks to six months,” Sue Moroney said.

“The Bill, drawn from the ballot today, would give 26,000 families every year more time to bond with their new-born babies.

“It’s clear that ensuring there is time for parents and babies to bond in the first six months reaps real benefits later on – both in social and economic terms.

“I look forward to pursuing this issue in the community and through Parliament so that our children get the very best start in life,” Sue Moroney said.

It is Labour policy to bring in 12 months’ paid parental leave and Moroney says her Bill is a good start in achieving this. She proposes to increase paid parental leave by four weeks each year, so that New Zealand parents have an entitlement to 26 weeks paid parental leave by 2014.

“I have written the Bill in this way, so that it is affordable. If other political parties place a priority on supporting children and families and are prepared to act in their interests, then my Bill will go to select committee for further discussion.

“I first entered the Bill into the ballot in 2009 and so it has been a long gestation. But the benefits for new-born babies and their parents will be worth the wait,” Sue Moroney said.

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