Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I am sure that Senator Moore is referring to Senator Macdonald's seniority in this place rather than the years that he has lived on this planet. But I can indicate that the government's position on the Paid Parental Leave scheme is very clear. As I indicated yesterday, we believe that it is good, sound public policy. I simply remind Senator Moore that these are the sorts of conditions that public servants in Canberra enjoy, and we want to have those conditions enjoyed by other women in the community who do not happen to have the good fortune of being employed in the Public Service.

As I indicated to the Senate yesterday, the Liberal Party is a broad church that brings together a diversity of opinions and views on a whole range of issues and therefore it does not surprise that within the broad church of the Liberal Party there are also diverse views in relation to the Paid Parental Leave scheme. Because we are a party of freedom of speech, because we are a party that believes in individuals being able to express themselves, it stands to reason that we will have people within our parliamentary party who do not necessarily fully accept and adopt all policies of the government. Having said that, the government is determined to press ahead with this vitally important social reform which will be good for our country's population, will be good for our country's productivity and will be good for the participation rate within the workforce and the maintenance of skills, especially of the women within our community.