2 December 2000 Media Statement

Harré welcomes overwhelming endorsement of paid parental leave

"Overwhelming public support for paid parental leave vindicates Alliance policy and the direction towards Paid Parental Leave endorsed by the Labour Alliance Coalition Government," said Women's Affairs Minister Laila Harré today.

Laila Harré said the results of the TVNZ survey were fantastic news. The Poll said that only seven per cent of people were against Paid Parental Leave. Nine out of ten New Zealanders (89 per cent) support some form of funding for paid parental leave. Eighty per cent, support either an employer levy or tax funding of paid parental leave from work, with a further nine per cent preferring other options. Opinion on how the leave should be funded was split, 43 per cent thought it should be Government funded and 37 per cent thought an employers levy should provide the pay while on leave.

"The split in public opinion as to whether the Government or employers should pay for paid parental leave gives us a strong basis to promote a compromise of shared funding," said Laila Harré.

"Paid parental leave is clearly a policy where we are taking the public with us and where the Alliance and the Government have a clear mandate to deliver. During the election campaign there was support for paid parental leave, but it has grown considerably since we were elected to Government.

"Paid parental leave will provide opportunity and security for New Zealanders raising our next generations. Secure adequate income for raising our children is an investment in our future," said Laila Harré.

The Government commitment to introduce paid parental leave in this term was announced in the speech from the throne after the election.

ENDS

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