Federal Labor wants to make it easier for fathers to be more hands-on at home and spend more time helping out when their baby is born.

That's why a re-elected Gillard Labor Government will, for the first time, provide two weeks Paid Paternity Leave for fathers of newborn babies.

Importantly, this support will be provided in addition to Federal Labor's 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave.  Parents will still be able to choose to share the 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave between them.