Concern at Paid Parental Leave Scheme

Monday 23rd Apr 2001 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

ACT Women’s Affairs Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today that small businesses would lose out from a paid parental leave scheme, no matter how it was funded.

“Labour advocates tax-payers funding leave, while Alliance wants to employers to foot the bill.

“Either way, employers will end up paying – either in increased taxes, or in actual cash.

“If we force employers to pay for parental leave, then small businesses who cannot afford it will simply stop hiring young women. Nobody will end up winning.

“Paid parental leave should be a matter for individual employers and employees. It should not be forced upon people.

“Having a child is a choice which should not be subsidised by the rest of New Zealand,” ACT MP Penny Webster said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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