Successful talks bring fairer PPL to pre-term babies

Press release: ACT New Zealand
September 8, 2015. 1:00pm

Successful talks between ACT Leader David Seymour and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse have yielded extended paid parental leave for parents of pre-term babies.

“When Sue Moroney brought her original parental leave Bill to Parliament, I opposed it on the basis that it was too broad, extending leave for all parents regardless of need, at considerable expense to the taxpayer. However, Moroney went on to identify apparent gaps in the government’s current policy – notably the lack of special assistance for parents of pre-term babies,” said Mr Seymour.

“I pledged to lobby the Government on this issue, and am pleased with today’s confirmation that, as a result of my talks with Hon Michael Woodhouse, parents of pre-term babies will receive additional weekly payments for each week the baby was born prior to the 37 week gestation period.

“The Minister and I also discussed the assistance available to parents of multiple birth babies and children with disabilities. We have agreed that these parents already receive special assistance in the form of home help payments, childcare subsidies, and disability allowances.

“The new paid parental leave provisions are an example of principled social insurance – providing a safety net for people in unforeseeable circumstances. This contrasts with the opposition’s blunt approach of increasing spending across the board, regardless of need.”

ENDS

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