Global charity and advocacy group, Save the Children, has published its annual report into the quality of life for mothers, showing that Australia’s ranking has slipped, precipitated by a lack of quality maternity leave.

 

Although Australia scored seven on the overall Mothers’ Index Rankings, it had slipped several places, while New Zealand took 4th position.

 

The group found that Australia mothers are not faring as well as those in other western countries when comparing maternity leave and other options.

 

The report concluded that the Federal Government’s current maternity leave is lacking behind other countries.

 

"Probably one of the factors that's bringing us down the most is our paid parental leave scheme. It's recently introduced this year, 18 weeks at a flat rate," spokeswoman Nicole Cardinal told the ABC.

 

"That is less generous than what we see in most countries around the developed world. Norway, which came in at the top for instance, has about 36 to 46 weeks for women at almost full pay."