Greens launch Families policy

The Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland, Larissa Waters, was joined by Greens candidate for Brisbane Elizabeth Guthrie at a Bardon childcare facility this morning to launch the Greens Launching the Greens' Family policy Caring for Parents and Kids.

"Australians are working longer hours, and are now seeing the effect this is having on the wellbeing of their families," said Ms Waters.

"Many working parents are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their family responsibilities in the new workplace environment. The Greens are calling for a number of measures that will provide necessary support for parents," said Ms Waters.

"It's time all Australian parents had access to paid parental leave - there is no excuse for not having a government funded scheme.

"Providing paid parental leave to care for newborn children makes good economic sense as well as being good social policy - yet we are one of only two nations in the OECD that do not support parents in this way."

“All workers deserve a sensible work/life balance, so The Greens propose measures like a right to flexible working hours, the right to return to work part-time after parental leave and the regulation of antisocial working hours.

"Access to affordable childcare is a crucial issue facing families around Australia," continued Ms Waters.

“The Greens believe community-based not-for-profit childcare centres provide the best option for affordable, accessible, quality childcare and should be supported through increased government funding.

"The early years of a child's life are crucial to their future prospects. We have a duty to enable parents to provide the best care and education for our children at this time in their lives.

"Investing in healthy families creates healthy communities, ensuring a brighter future for all Australians," concluded Ms Waters.

The full policy, Caring for Parents and Kids, is available at http://greens.org.au/election/policy.php#initiative-1.
 

For more information:
 
Larissa Waters
Australian Greens Lead Senate Candidate for Queensland 
larissa.waters@qld.greens.org.au