Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Liberal Party to levy business to fund paid maternity leave

3 December 2009

The Australian Government notes the new Liberal Party policy announced today to impose a new payroll levy on business to fund a paid maternity leave scheme.

In today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, canvassed taking a new paid maternity leave scheme to the next election.

Mr Abbott has proposed funding a paid maternity leave scheme through a payroll levy of up to 0.75 per cent.

The Government looks forward to seeing the full details of this new Liberal Party policy, including the full costings associated with this new levy on business.

The Government will be responding to this new Liberal Party policy in full, once these details have been released.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community. We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.