SENATOR GLENN STERLE

SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

DUTY SENATOR FOR HASLUCK

MEDIA RELEASE

PARENTS UNDER ATTACK FROM THE ABBOTT GOVERNMENT

Tony Abbott has defended his Ministers’ extraordinary attacks on Australian families in an appalling attempt to justify his harsh new cuts to Paid Parental Leave.

On Monday, Minister for Social Services Scott Morrison referred to parents who receive top-ups to their Paid Parental Leave as rorters.

Asked about what he thought of women who receive an extra six weeks of Paid Parental Leave from their employers, he said:

“…frankly in many cases I think it is a rort”.

SCOTT MORISSON – SKY NEWS FIRST EDITION – 11 MAY 2015

Asked on Sunday by Laurie Oakes about the same women, and whether it was “basically fraud”, Joe Hockey said:

“…well it is”

JOE HOCKEY – LAURIE OAKES - 10 MAY 2015

The Prime Minister defended his Ministers.

This is an extraordinary attack on ordinary, hardworking Australian families who receive top-ups from their employers to help them spend more time with their newborn babies.

Tony Abbott’s second budget will leave as many as 80,000 women a year worse off because of his cuts to their Paid Parental Leave. Some women will lose as much as $11,500.

This is the same Prime Minister who wanted to pay women who earn in excess of $150,000 up to $75,000 in paid parental leave.

Tony Abbott can't be trusted and will say anything to keep his job.

Australian families deserve better than Tony Abbott.