2022-10-15
The Greens welcome the Albanese government's announcement to extend Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to 26 weeks with shared care, but will continue to call on the government to increase it to be paid at a replacement wage, with super, and immediately.
Lines attributable to Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters
“Australia has one of the weakest parental leave schemes globally; yes it should be paid for longer, but without super, or an increase to the amount paid, women are still losing out. And phasing this in over four years is an insult when women have waited for over a decade for decent paid parental leave.
“Women deserve fair PPL, and immediately – it improves their economic security, reduces the gender pay gap, increases the likelihood of mothers returning to work.
“Experts and business groups are united in their calls for fairer PPL for its economic and social benefits – now, not staggered over the next six years.
“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone - parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.
“Labor needs to decide if they are a government for the rich or for women”, concluded Senator Waters.