Next week, Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan will  present the budget for the 2009/2010 fiscal year, and signs are looking hopeful – if not sure – that the budget will contain measures for a paid maternity leave scheme. This is excellent news; the Australian Labor Party promised to examine a paid maternity leave scheme as part of its campaign promises in the 2007 election, but with the global recession, plummeting tax revenue and the general financial situation, media whispers had hinted that the scheme could fall to the wayside. There is speculation as to the duration, phase-in and whether it would be open to both parents, so I’ll just have to update y’all after the budget speech.

Paid maternity leave has support across different segments of Australia, including trade unions and a small business association, according to this report.