Sydney
28 July 2002
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Ave Maria, it’s a girl!
Be like good Samaritan, says nun who helped refugee kids
Something to sing about
Or honorificabilitudinatibus?
Instant tax deductions when you give to charity
Vatican II: People like a fight, but no battle was brewing
Willesee looks at Eucharist miracles and Last Supper in documentary
Caritas rallies to aid of typhoon victims
Bishop hopes sex abuse crisis is catalyst for ‘serious change’
Chapel, museum open all day on Bl Mary’s feast day
New campus on Brisbane seminary site
ACU led way on maternity leave
Visitors bowled over by cricket
Editorial: Need of each other
Letters: Prisoner of the Vatican
Conversation: A life of faith ‘straight between the posts’ - Frank Hyde, football player, coach, journalist, broadcaster
Reflections: Me, The Muppets and my vocation
Feature: Life begins at 40! Religious life, that is
More than one blessing – ‘for the benefit of all’
Kids wear pyjamas to school to help Vinnies ‘lift lid’
Feature: Ecumenical oasis in a desert of concrete and glass ...
Revisiting St Brigid’s – contemplative beauty in a quiet corner of the city
Sport and the Jesus factor
Inspirations: Toronto: Fiona Fonti’s foray into faith
ACU led way on maternity leave
The vice-chancellor of Australian Catholic University (ACU National), Professor Peter Sheehan, has welcomed the national debate on the introduction of paid maternity leave.
It is little less than a year since ACU National made history as the first employer in Australia to introduce 12 months’ paid maternity leave, which encouraged widespread debate on the issue.
“We are pleased that our ground-breaking enterprise bargaining agreements have put paid maternity leave on the national agenda,” said Prof Sheehan.
“We welcome the discussion of the role of government in the provision of paid maternity leave.
“Government-funded maternity leave could help to ensure that there is no employer discrimination against women of childbearing age.”
Prof Sheehan’s comments came after Prime Minister John Howard agreed to consider government-funded maternity leave as one option to help families.
Small businesses would not be expected to bear the cost of maternity leave payments, Mr Howard said.
The Government is reviewing the family payments system. Family experts have warned that without a major change in government financial support of families the birth rate will fall even further over the next several years.
“Raising the next generation of children is one of the most important tasks facing our society,” said Prof Sheehan.
“Making it possible for one parent to stay at home during the first year of their child’s life is very important.”