Recommendation 19

In reforming the parental leave system, the Government must address inequality for single parent families. Unlike in many developed countries, single parents do not receive any portion of the paid leave that would be available to the household if they had a co-parent. Extending paternity leave entitlements risks exacerbating this inequality. We recommend the Government’s review consider options for single parents to reallocate some or all of the entitlements of co-parents to nominated family friends or relatives who can share caring responsibilities. It should draw on experiences in overseas systems, including Norway and Sweden. (Recommendation, Paragraph 106)