2. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
Has she received any reports on changes to eligibility for paid parental leave?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
Yes, I have. Last year the Labour-led Government opened up eligibility to the paid parental leave scheme to the self-employed. A recent evaluation of the scheme showed that with this change, the scheme is now available to nearly 90 percent of all women in paid work. Paid parental leave is widely embraced by New Zealanders, despite being consistently opposed by the National Party.
Yes. I have received a rather confused proposal that eligibility for paid parental leave should apply only to those who are out of the home. That proposal, to give paid parental leave to those who are out of the home, actually seems to contradict the whole philosophy of paid parental leave, but nevertheless it was made by Kate Wilkinson in the House on Tuesday. I look forward to that fantastic proposal being adopted as National policy!