14 May 2001

Paid Parental Leave Discriminates Against Career Mums

Party Leader Graham Capill has criticised the government’s proposed paid parental leave package as “discriminatory of mothers who have chosen to stay at home with their children and those on low income.”

Mr Capill said, “Such career mothers deserve a much better deal. Their families are struggling to manage to support the family on one salary and now a Labour-Alliance government is proposing to discriminate against them instead of supporting the excellent work they do.

“Single income families need more help. That is why Christian Heritage proposes a Home Makers Allowance to support one parent to stay at home with their child or children. Such an allowance would not discriminate against those on low incomes.

“Government policy should encourage one parent to stay at home with children. A recent study done in the USA proved conclusively that children did much better in such circumstances, instead of being put in day care centres from an early age. The paid parental leave proposal encourages mothers to take up work so that when they expect further children the state will pay them a generous allowance.

“Christian Heritage would be very concerned if the government axed the allowance of $1200, given to all new mums, because of the introduction of paid parental leave. Such an action would further hurt low, income families.

“Families need encouragement to do what is best for their children. This financial package encourages the opposite. Career mothers or career fathers should be the ones rewarded!” Mr Capill concluded.

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