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PolMin Calls for an End to Mandatory Detention

PolMin has joined Get Up's Campaign to end Mandatory Detention of Asylum Seekers. You can help by signing the petition here.

Paid Parental Leave - Human Dignity for Parents who Work

just_work PolMin has now made oral and written submissions to the Productivity Commission's review into options for Paid Parental Leave.

PolMin is calling for a paid parental leave scheme funded by the government, along with innovative and immediate changes to the superannuation scheme so that young families can better plan for parental leave.

PolMin calls for the establishment of an Office of Life Transition Management, to enable Australians to save for Parental, Study and Long Service Leave, along with Home Ownership. We are calling for an expanded and flexible superannuation scheme that enables individuals more choice as to how they use savings. Life Transition Planning would ensure that Australians can plan for events, other than retirement, that may take them out of the workforce.

PolMin will also be emphasising how principles of Catholic Social Teaching can create positive changes for working parents. We will celebrate the Australian Catholic University, which has the best maternity leave provisions in the country - one years paid leave, with 12 weeks at full pay, 40 weeks at 60% pay. This is an extradordinarily generous provision of leave, made possible because of a commitment to the CST philosophies of human dignity, the common good and the dignity of work.

You can download PolMin's Submission here: paidparentalleavesubmission

You can also read read the online transcript between the Commissioners and PolMin's National Co-ordinator and new mum Tanja Kovac.

For further detail on PolMin's Just Work policy, click here: just_work_policy

Kate Gauthier, Executive Officer of A Just Australia and PolMin Board Member participated in the Prime Minister's Australia 2020 Summit on the weekend of 19 and 20 April 2008 in Canberra.

Kate was among a number of community advocates, academics, entrepenuers, business people and church representatives discussing 10 topics of importance. Kate will be attending The future of Australian governance: open government (including the role of the media), the structure of government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens session.

PolMin Australia 2020 summit submission

PolMin has also made a submission to the Australia 2020 conference. To view our submission click here: polminsaustralia2020submission PolMin's innovative ideas include:

Immediate action on Climate Change with the co-ordination of a National Climate Census and Government tender awards linked to energy efficiency, carbon reduction and water savings commitments.
Water to be managed as a Common Good with preference for urban rainwater harvesting over desalination and maintainance of a strong position on the public control of water.
Human Dignity for Working Parents by offering 14 weeks paid Parental Leave and establishing work-life balance initiatives including an Office of Life Transition to enable citizens to better manage parental, study and long service leave and also to encourage home ownership savings.
Making Human Rights Aussie Rules by enacting a Human Rights and Responsibilities Act and Human Rights Education for new citizens and high school students.

Also, in time for the Australia 2020 Summit, PolMin has produced six new policy statements, articulating an agenda for the common good in the management of Water, Climate Change, Industrial Relations, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Human Rights and the Millennium Developmnent Goals.

Upcoming Events

Celebrating PolMin's Achievements

On July 25, PolMin celebrated its 8th birthday. To mark the occassion, we have put together a list of our achievements and successes in affecting public policy in Canberra. Click here to read about the achievements we have made so far:

polminpolicyachievements

Already, in just the first six months of the Rudd Government we:

Made Paid Maternity Leave a Government Priority.

In November 2007, PolMin wrote to Ministers in new government advising of our intention to pursue a campaign for Paid Maternity Leave. Within weeks of our correspondence, the Government announced the Productivity Commission’s review into Paid Parental Leave. We made a submission to the review and also participated in public hearings.

Lobbied Brendan Nelson to make a Sorry Statement to our indigenous peoples.

Sent a PolMin Board Member to Australia 2020 and also made our own detailed submission

Made a submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review

Supported the Get Up Campaign to end Mandatory Detention of Asylum Seekers

2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What better time for Australia to support a Human Rights Act. PolMin is working hard to promote a Human Rights Act. We are also offering members and schools the opportunity to undertake unique human rights training.