Monday 27 June 2022 11:21 PM Government pushes for 20 weeks paid parental leave for Australian dads trends now Aussie dads could get up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave under a new plan from Anthony Albanese’s government Labor is looking into allowing both parents to access the 20 weeks of paid leave By Eliza Mcphee For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:08 BST, 27 June 2022 | Updated: 23:15 BST, 27 June 2022 Viewcomments Fathers could be given up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave before their child turns two under a new plan being weighed up by the government. Labor is reportedly looking into allowing both parents access to the 20 weeks worth of paid parental leave. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said she supported a move that would allow more men to stay at home with their babies. 'Society has changed. A lot more men do want to play a role. And a lot of men do say they want to be the primary caregiver for some period of time,' she told The Australian. Fathers could be given up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave before their child turns two under a new plan being weighed up by the government Currently the primary care-giver in a relationship receives 18 weeks of paid leave at the minimum wage, while men typically receive just two weeks. Georgie Dent, the executive director of families advocacy group The Parenthood said Aussie dads took less than 20 per cent of paid parental leave that fathers around the world did. 'That is because our policy settings, aside from America, we've got the least adequate paid-parental leave scheme in the OECD,' she said. Ms Dent said leave should be flexible and allow parents to take a month off here and there throughout the first year of their child's life. Her association is pushing for a paid parental leave scheme of 12 months shared between the couple at a full working wage. Ms Rishworth said parental leave needed to reflect changes in gender roles. 'I'm not going to be too prescriptive right now. I'm going to have those conversations with Australian families. I've had my own experience, where my husband took 12 months of leave himself. It was unpaid,' she said. More to come Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility