Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to conclude the debate on the urgency motion today. Wow! Obviously, the Labor Party have their knickers in a knot over this one. They know that their 18 weeks paid parental leave scheme is a sham and is paltry and they have spent the entire debate not defending it. What we heard from the members of the Labor Party, representing the government, is that they want 26 weeks or six months. Their aspiration is for 26 weeks. Come on guys, let’s get it together. Let us deliver 26 weeks, six months, with superannuation. We can do this—we do not have to wait another 30 years. We can do this now. Let us move beyond the aspiration and move to action; otherwise, it is just going to be one of those other promises without delivery from Mr Rudd, like so many other things. It is all talk, no action—no delivery. It is all talk, all promise—no action.

It is absolutely clear that the government have no intention of defending their 18-week scheme. They want 26 weeks. Let us bite the bullet. Let us debate it properly. Let us see the legislation and bring it on. Let us ensure they get the support of all the groups that they need, including the ACTU, which knows well and truly that its associate unions all want 26 weeks. Let us get them in the room with the government and admit that 26 weeks, six months, is what we should be delivering. We should not be delivering anything less. Let us move beyond the aspiration and into the action.

Question agreed to.