Anne Tolley National Women's Affairs Spokesperson

7 November 2001

Paid parental leave for some, not all

Providing paid parental leave for some parents - but not all - is selective and unfair, says National's Women's Affairs spokesperson Anne Tolley.

"Two thirds of working mothers who have babies will be covered by this scheme, but what about the self-employed and other new parents, around 18,000, who don't qualify? It's wrong to assume that these people are on low incomes and would therefore be eligible for the Parental Tax Credit.

"And what about women who decide to change their job in the year before their new baby is born? They won't qualify for Paid Parental Leave because of its selective restrictions.

"All mothers should be treated equally whether they're in the paid workforce or not. This scheme benefits only certain 'types' of mothers.

"Fortunately the Government has bowed to good sense and kept the Parental Tax Credit introduced by National 1999. At least this will mean low income families won't be discriminated against by this scheme," said Anne Tolley.

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