In a strategic move to win the backing of female voters, the Australian Greens party has unveiled a bold plan to double paid parental leave, pledging a $7.7 billion investment. This proposal, aimed at strengthening the financial support for new parents, could significantly alter the landscape of family policies if implemented.
The Greens’ policy focuses on increasing the current 26-week paid parental leave to 52 weeks by 2030, with a particular emphasis on supporting both mothers and fathers.
The plan also includes measures to alleviate the financial pressures on families during their early years, with substantial funding directed towards primary carers and a more inclusive approach to eligibility.
The Policy: Doubling Paid Parental Leave
According to the Greens, the proposal to extend paid parental leave would provide substantial financial relief for families, particularly those with lower incomes.
The policy promises to increase the duration of paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 52 weeks, ensuring that parents can spend more time with their children without the stress of financial insecurity.
Additionally, the Greens have introduced an expansion of the “use it or lose it” provisions for dads and partners. This initiative, which currently allows only four weeks of leave for fathers, would see that period extended to 12 weeks.
The Greens argue that this shift will help to promote gender equality, making it easier for fathers to take on caregiving roles without sacrificing their income.
Senator Larissa Waters, the party’s spokeswoman for women, highlighted that the current system is inadequate for parents struggling with the rising cost of living.
“It’s time parents are rewarded, not penalised, for dedicating themselves to the precious first year of a baby’s life,” she said. The Greens also aim to raise the government’s contribution to parental leave, with funding of up to $100,000 for primary carers, and employers topping up wages for those earning above this threshold.
Funding the Scheme: Corporate Tax Increases
To fund this ambitious plan, the Greens have proposed a tax increase on large corporations, expecting it to generate the necessary $7.7 billion. The Greens argue that higher corporate taxes are a fair means of redistributing wealth to support the needs of working families.
The party has also signalled that the policy would be more beneficial for average families, with an estimated $23,000 better off under the proposed changes.
The Greens aim to leverage the support from female voters to boost their representation in parliament, especially in key Queensland seats. This would allow the party to hold the balance of power, potentially pressuring the government to implement these reforms.
The move also seeks to draw attention to the growing issue of gender equality in the workforce, as the policy would particularly benefit women who often bear the brunt of parental responsibilities.
