Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said yesterday:

We encourage employers and employees to negotiate agreements that best fit their particular needs.

So why is the Prime Minister punishing employees who have negotiated additional paid parental leave arrangements by cutting paid parental leave? Why does the Prime Minister want these employees to spend less time at home with their newborn babies?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable member for Jagajaga should be very well aware that the government is absolutely committed to ensuring that parents, that mothers and fathers, get all the support they need.

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So what are you cutting it for?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Jagajaga has asked her question and will not interject.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Calibrating the right set of measures to achieve the right outcome is absolutely critical. The honourable member should be aware, given her long experience in this field, that you have to look at the totality of the government's programs. Our government is committed to supporting families and we are doing so generously and compassionately and effectively.