Time to deliver on paid parental leave

It’s time to deliver on extend paid parental leave, lobby group 26 for Babies says.

This is the message the Prime Minister will be sent when 26 for Babies supporters and their children meet today to hand decorate a large banner calling on government to support extending paid parental leave.

“Sue Moroney’s members’ bill extending paid parental leave in stages to 26 weeks is supported by a majority in Parliament, and there is no good reason for the Prime Minister to allow the bill to be vetoed,” 26 for Babies Convenor Rebecca Matthews said.

“Extending paid parental leave is a very popular initiative. We’ve had very positive feedback as a campaign group, there was strong public support at the select committee for the Bill and a One News poll last year showed the community was right behind the move.”

“There have been no reasons put up against this bill other than affordability, and on this matter official estimates came out at around half of what the Finance Minister originally claimed.”

“If there are alternatives to this bill then they should be debated as part of a wider discussion on support for families, but there is no reason to veto the bill. 26 weeks of paid parental leave would still leave us in the middle of the pack internationally but it would be a big improvement on New Zealand’s current provision.”

“26 weeks paid parental leave will go a long way to helping support families to care for their babies at home in the early months of their life. Families need the certainty of an increase to paid parental leave, and we are calling on National to allow this popular initiative to proceed,” Rebecca Matthews said.

Ends.

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