Increasing paid parental leave to 52 weeks would give billion-dollar boost to economy, unions say

The ACTU has called for an overhaul of paid parental leave with its president, Michele O’Neil, saying ‘Australia has the second worst government-funded paid parental leave scheme in the developed world. Photograph: d3sign/Getty Images

Unions have called for a massive expansion of paid parental leave by extending it to 52 weeks, paying parents their actual wage and including superannuation.

A report released by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) on Monday night has suggested halving the gap in women’s pay and participation would boost the economy by $111bn.