Defeat of paid parental leave amendment a blow to employers. On Thursday 24 February the Paid Parental Leave (Reduction of Compliance Burden for Employers) Amendment Bill 2010 (the Bill) was defeated in Federal Parliament by a narrow margin.

The Bill sought to spare employers the burden of administering the scheme, ensuring it remained fully funded and administered by the Federal Government in all instances.

The scheme is fully funded by the Federal Government and will be administered by the Government through the Family Assistance Office until 31 June 2011. However, from 1 July 2011 the administrative burden will fall on the employer in most instances. The passage of the Bill was in spite of considerable lobbying from major employer groups.

Are you confused about School Holidays this year?

The timing is an issue as businesses adjust to the arrival of extra visitors.

As far as I am able to determine, schools will close on Tuesday 19th April and resume Thursday 5th May.

Easter and Anzac Day holidays will occur during this period from Friday 22nd April to Tuesday 26th April (inclusive).