Abbott’s message to new mums: get a job
Australian women need to know that Tony Abbott plans to leave stay-at-home-mums $70,000 behind under his paid parental leave scheme, telling these mums to ‘get a job’.
When asked by Madison magazine for his response to stay-at-home mums who would lose out under his scheme, Mr Abbott said, “Well, if you want to get the dough, go into the workforce.”
Under Tony Abbott’s policy, high-flying lawyers and executives would get $75,000 in government assistance to have a baby. Stay-at-home mums would get $70,000 less.
Mr Abbott has made it clear he is comfortable with his unfair paid parental leave scheme – even if his party room colleagues aren’t.
Back in 2010, the Nationals made it clear they did not support Tony Abbott’s scheme for exactly this reason.
“I would be surprised if anyone in the National Party saw it as a positive. As for what happens after the election, well, that will be an interesting party room.”
- Anonymous National MP, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June 2010
“I thought that was over-generous and neglected the stay-at-home mums. Obviously this will be reviewed and I make no secret about it.”
- Nationals Senator John Williams, The Australian, 11 September 2010
The Nationals were so concerned they made it their policy to double the Baby Bonus – a promise they dumped in their latest policy platform.
The Coalition Party Room needs to speak up again and tell Tony Abbott his paid parental leave scheme is just unfair and will leave ordinary working women and stay-at-home mums behind.
Yet again, the Coalition just hasn’t got a clue when it comes to supporting Australian families.