Coalition leader Tony Abbott’s generous paid parental leave scheme could be in trouble, with one MP declaring there are internal squabbles within the party regarding the policy.
Abbott’s policy would see mothers paid their regular wage for six months following the birth of a child, capped at $75,000. It is considerably more generous than what’s currently on offer under the Gillard government – a scheme that pays the minimum wage to women for up to 18 weeks, and does not factor in the woman’s income prior to having a baby.
Liberal MP backbencher Alex Hawke told ABC Radio today that the Coalition policy should be scrapped.
“The feedback from business groups, from women in the community and from colleagues is that now would be a very good time to revisit this policy with a view to scrapping it before the next election so we can go to the election without this albatross around the neck of the party.”
Hawke has written a piece for the Institute of Public Affairs calling the Abbott scheme an “unjustifiable impost on business” and a policy that does not “pass the fair go test”.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin has used Hawke’s comments to attack Abbott’s policy, declaring at a press conference today that it will see “wealthy women paid $75,000 to have a baby”.
She said in an earlier statement the policy is unfair and that it will reward “high-flying bank executives and lawyers”.
What do you think? Is Tony Abbott’s paid parental leave scheme too generous?