Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the disrespectful—indeed regrettable—language used by his ministers in recent days, describing mothers getting paid parental leave from their employers as a rort, will the Prime Minister apologise to new mums on behalf of his government?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is a very simple issue here: is it or is it not fair for taxpayers to have to pay two lots of paid parental leave to the public servants of the Commonwealth? That is the issue, and members opposite plainly think that it is right and proper that taxpayers should pay two lots of paid parental leave to Commonwealth public servants. Well, I want a good deal for the families of Australia. I want a fair deal for the families of Australia, and it is not fair that taxpayers should pay twice for the same thing. It is just not fair.

Ms Macklin interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Jagajaga will desist or leave. The choice is hers.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a government which is absolutely committed to the wellbeing of the families of Australia. This is a government which has been consulting extensively with the families of Australia—

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lingiari will temper his comments into silence.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

about what they most need at this time, and the message that has come back to us loud and clear from the families of Australia is that their priority at this time is better child care, and that is exactly what this government is determined to deliver: better child care—more flexible, more affordable, more accessible, and, above all else, simpler. The tragedy is that members opposite are opposing a better childcare system for the families of Australia. They are opposing a better childcare system for the mothers of Australia. What this government wants to do is to deliver to low-income and middle-income families better childcare benefits, to the tune of $1,500 a year. That is what is right, that is what is fair, and that is what this government wants to do.