Archived Media Releases: 16 May 2007

ANF supports work-life balance for families

In recognition of National Families Week, the ANF is highlighting serious concerns about the effect of the Howard Government’s industrial relations laws on Australian families.

Support for families is being eroded by the WorkChoices legislation. While the claim is that WorkChoices gives workers more choice, the reality is that it is harder for people to access maternity/paternity leave and flexible working hours to allow parents to balance work and family responsibilities, ANF Federal Secretary, Jill Iliffe said.

“Families need a work-life balance to ensure the wellbeing of the family unit. This can be achieved with industrial relations laws that recognise the importance of family through flexible work and leave arrangements. This is not happening under WorkChoices. Because all the decision making power is now vested in employers.

“The Howard Government’s unfair WorkChoices legislation is hurting Australian working families. Under AWAs working families no longer have job security or many of the basic conditions they were entitled to under their awards or collective agreements,” Ms Iliffe said.

National Families Week, 13-19 May, is Australia’s annual celebration of the importance of families. The theme is FITT Families –’Families Investing in Time Together’. This year the focus is on encouraging all Australians to take time to do things together that will improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of the family.

Media Contacts
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Libby Muir, ANF Communications Manager 0413 834 979

The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia