JENNY MACKLIN MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND PAYMENTS SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISABILITY REFORM MEMBER FOR

JAGAJAGA
MEDIA RELEASE BUSINESS LEADERS CALL ON ABBOTT TO DUMP PAID PARENTAL LEAVE SCHEME Leaders from across the business community are today calling on the Abbott Government to dump its unfair and unaffordable Paid Parental Leave Scheme, with some indicating the money could be better spent on childcare. The Australian Industry Group today called on the Abbott Government to dump its gold-plated $5.5 billion scheme, amid growing concern in the business community about the proposed schemes affordability and fairness (AFR, 5 February 2014). And in its pre-budget submission, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has slammed the Coalitions scheme and called for greater means testing that would "considerably improve both the scheme's affordability and fairness" (The Australian, 5 February 2014). This is a major blow for the Prime Minister. The business community now joins Labor, the Nationals and a large number of the Liberals in opposing Abbotts scheme which he has described as a signature reform of an incoming Coalition government. Everyone else realises that the scheme is unfair, unaffordable and an unnecessary tax burden on businesses and consumers. Not only will Abbotts scheme place an unnecessary tax on business, but the government proposing to cut support for vulnerable people, including people with a disability, in order to pay for the scheme.

Labor will not support savage cuts to vulnerable Australians so Tony Abbott can give $75,000 to wealthy women to have a baby. Labor is proud to have introduced Australias first fair and affordable Paid Parental Leave Scheme, which has already provided support to over 300,000 families. 5 FEBRUARY 2014