Hon Ruth Dyson
Minister of Labour

25 May 2007 Media Statement

Wilkinson Shows National's True Colours on Paid Parental Leave

Kate Wilkinson today demonstrated when it comes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme established by the Labour-led government in 2002, she is cut from the same cloth as deposed National Party leader Don Brash, said Labour
Minister Ruth Dyson.

Off the back of a recent evaluation of the scheme by the Department of Labour, which showed the scheme is embraced by New Zealanders and has been taken up by 80% of eligible women, Ms Wilkinson showed her back-to-the-1990s attitude to workers with her comments that when it comes to home life "the state should butt out".

"Just like Don Brash, who cited parental leave as a failure in the deregulation of the labour market, Ms Wilkinson displays a similar attitude that when it comes to workers and their entitlements, National cannot be trusted," said Ruth Dyson

"In contrast, this Labour-led government has widened eligibility for the paid leave scheme, including extending it to the self-employed last year, and is committed to considering its further extension."

ENDS

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