Employers', workers' and women's groups have hailed the Rudd Government's ''historic'' decision to set up a paid parental leave scheme from 2011.
But the Opposition feared the delayed start would encourage employers to shelve plans to provide maternity leave in the interim, knowing the Government would use taxpayers' money to fund a scheme in less than two years' time.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said yesterday the plan for a paid parental leave scheme would be unveiled in tomorrow's federal budget.
Primary carers would be eligible for 18 weeks' leave and would be paid the federal minimum wage, which was currently $543.78 a week.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times.
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