Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has blasted the Union and One Nation for their history of opposing paid parental leave, as the government prepares to offer benefits to new parents from next week.
“We’re always looking for ways to do more to support families where we can. All I can say is that there is a risk to paid parental leave when you look at how the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation have responded to paid parental leave over the years,” Plibersek told a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra.
“You will remember Joe Hockey and Scott Morrison calling mothers rorters and double dippers. You will remember Tim Wilson, the current shadow treasurer, saying that it is not his choice that women have children, it is genetic, and you will remember that Pauline Hanson, since 2017 has been saying that paid parental leave is a waste,” Plibersek said.
“He said in 2017 that women will only get pregnant to make money.” He said a few weeks ago that women are equipped, so if they take time off to have a baby, that’s their business, and he said, as recently as the Press Club, soon, that paid parental leave will take small businesses, “he said, saying it’s Labour’s responsibility to protect the interests of conservative parties.”
Paid parental leave is provided to all parents and paid for by taxpayers. The policy provides 24 weeks of paid vacation at a minimum wage of $948.10 per week. On July 1, the period will be extended to 26 weeks, and the eligibility criteria will be expanded.
Plibersek did not directly answer a question about whether the government would be willing to expand the program to allow small businesses to offer competitive paid parental leave offers compared to larger businesses.
