Tag: Heather Ridout

Kevin Rudd’s Paid Parental Leave bill passed the Senate yesterday, bringing 18 weeks paid maternity leave to mothers beginning January 1st next year.

Australia’s services sector is showing its first signs of recovery despite increases in interest rates, with the AiG Performance of Services Index recording growth in April.

Manufacturing has recorded growth not seen since May 2002, with the sector bolstered by demand in the construction, mining and infrastructure sectors.

Australia continues to struggle to manage its ‘two speed economy’ as the resource sector booms, while rising interest rates cripple the services sector.

The ACTU has embarked on a campaign to increase wages, asking for $27 extra of 5 percent more per week, but employers argue that an increase of that size will place jobs at risk.