More Liberals and business groups walk away from Tony Abbott’s ‘Roll’s Royce’ paid parental leave scheme

Former Liberal Finance Minister Nick Minchin and peak business groups have joined the growing chorus of opposition to Tony Abbott’s ‘Rolls Royce’ plan for paid parental leave.

Mr Minchin told the ABC’s 730 last night that, “as a former Finance Minister, I have reservations about all big spending policies.”

Business groups also oppose Tony Abbott’s scheme, funded by a big new tax on business that will hit families in the hip pocket.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Peter Anderson said Mr Abbott’s scheme “does seem to be very much on the excessive side.”

Mr Minchin and Mr Anderson join current Liberal and National members in opposing Mr Abbott’s plans to whack a great big new tax on business to fund his ‘Rolls Royce’ plan.

Earlier this week, Shadow Minister for Finance, Andrew Robb, admitted that a Liberal Government may never deliver on their plan.

Liberal Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent, has declared he found it hard to explain the “extravagant” scheme “for rich people”.

Liberal Senator Sue Boyce has described it as a “Rolls Royce” scheme, and Liberal sources have said the scheme is “practically friendless” in the Shadow Cabinet.

While Mr Abbott’s plan is left increasingly friendless, this Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering for working families.

We’ve already introduced Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme more than a year ago – a fully funded scheme that 150,000 Australian families are already benefitting from.