This bill became law on Mar 20th, 2024.
Welfare & housing
The Minister can make temporary transition rules to help shift claims and administration into the new paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. settings as the changes take effect.
The existing scheme left working families with only 20 weeks of leave and could miss fathers or partners after a premature birth as the 2022-23 Budget expansion was rolled out. The bill stages leave up to 26 weeks, reserves more weeks for each partnered parent, allows more overlap, and lets ministers make transition rules.
Australia’s national paid parental leave schemeAustralia's national payment system that gives eligible parents income support around the birth or adoption of a child. began in 2011, and after a first round of Albanese government changes started on 1 July 2023, families still faced a 20-week cap and a gap that could exclude fathers or partners when a baby arrived prematurely. The 2023 bill responded by staging the payment up to 26 weeks, reserving more leave for each partnered parent, allowing more overlap and adding transition powers, with the full expanded model due to reach 26 weeks and four reserved weeks per parent from 1 July 2026.
The main criticism was not the leave expansion itself but how it would be administered, with opponents warning small businesses could be forced to act as unpaid pay clerks and carry extra compliance costs. That concern was raised most clearly by the Coalition and Senator David Pocock, while other criticism mostly came from supporters who said the reform was still too limited or too slow.
Amanda Rishworth MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 20 Mar 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
8 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
153 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The Minister can make temporary transition rules to help shift claims and administration into the new paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. settings as the changes take effect.
Paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. grows in stages for children born or adopted from 1 July 2024, rising from 20 weeks to 22 weeks, then 24 weeks, and reaching 26 weeks from 1 July 2026.
Partnered parents get a larger use-it-or-lose-it shareThe part of paid parental leave that is set aside for one parent in a partnered couple and cannot simply be handed to the other parent. over time, so from 1 July 2026 each partnered parent has four reserved weeks that cannot simply be transferred to the other parent.
Parents can take more paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. at the same time, with the shared overlap rising from 10 days to 20 days for children born on or after 1 July 2025.
Parents and partners are less likely to miss out because of an early birth, because the work testThe employment history test a person must meet before they can receive parental leave pay, with some exceptions. exception now also covers fathers and partners affected by a premature birth.
(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to the amendments or repeals of this Act.Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Act 2024 final Act text
This Bill amends the Act to extend the Paid Parental Leave scheme by increasing the maximum number of flexible PPL days in relation to the child by 2 weeks each year from 1 July 2024 to 26 weeks (130 flexible PPL days) from 1 July 2026.Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) explanatory memorandum
The reserved period for certain claimants who are partnered at the time of their first effective claim will be extended by one week each year from 1 July 2025 to 4 weeks from 1 July 2026. This means partnered claimants will be able to receive a maximum of:Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) explanatory memorandum
Eligible claimants can currently take up to 2 weeks (10 flexible PPL days) of parental leave pay concurrently for the same child. The PPL Rules may prescribe circumstances in which a flexible PPL day does not count towards the maximum number of concurrent days. For example, in cases of a multiple birth or when the child is stillborn. This Bill increases this number to 4 weeks (20 flexible PPL days) from 1 July 2025, to accompany the increase to the reserve period and increase to the maximum parental leave pay entitlement.Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) explanatory memorandum
This Bill extends this exception to the work test for fathers and partners who are prevented from performing paid work, and therefore meeting the work test, because their child is born prematurely. This will ensure fathers and partners are not disadvantaged from receiving parental leave pay because of a premature birth when they would otherwise be eligible.Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) explanatory memorandum
Context
Australia’s national paid parental leave schemeAustralia's national payment system that gives eligible parents income support around the birth or adoption of a child. began in 2011, and after a first round of Albanese government changes started on 1 July 2023, families still faced a 20-week cap and a gap that could exclude fathers or partners when a baby arrived prematurely. The 2023 bill responded by staging the payment up to 26 weeks, reserving more leave for each partnered parent, allowing more overlap and adding transition powers, with the full expanded model due to reach 26 weeks and four reserved weeks per parent from 1 July 2026.
Australia introduces a national paid parental leave schemeAustralia's national payment system that gives eligible parents income support around the birth or adoption of a child.
The Gillard government created the first national scheme, establishing the base system that later governments would expand and reshape.
Hansard second reading speech, 19 Oct 2023 ↗2022-23 October Budget announces a second tranche of paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. reform
The Albanese government committed to expand the scheme in stages, framing the later bill as the next step in that budget plan.
Hansard second reading speech, 28 Nov 2023 ↗First tranche of Albanese government changes starts
Those earlier reforms widened access, increased flexibility and encouraged parents to share care, but left the scheme short of the later 26-week target.
Hansard second reading speech, 28 Nov 2023 ↗Government introduces the next expansion bill
The bill was introduced to lift paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. beyond 20 weeks, fix the premature-birth work testThe employment history test a person must meet before they can receive parental leave pay, with some exceptions. gap for fathers and partners, and manage the transition to the new settings.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the staged expansion and new reserved weeks to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. expansion becomes law
Royal Assent turned the bill into an Act so the staged increases and transition rules could be implemented from the following financial years.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Full 26-week scheme with four reserved weeks per partnered parent is due to take effect
By this date the staged rollout reaches its end point, with 26 weeks of leave and four use-it-or-lose-it weeks set aside for each partnered parent.
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) explanatory memorandum ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (19/10/2023): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not the leave expansion itself but how it would be administered, with opponents warning small businesses could be forced to act as unpaid pay clerks and carry extra compliance costs. That concern was raised most clearly by the Coalition and Senator David Pocock, while other criticism mostly came from supporters who said the reform was still too limited or too slow.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill overall, but some support came with conditions or calls for stronger reform.
Small-business admin burden
Critics argued the bill left small businesses with an unnecessary administrative job by making them handle parental leave payments, creating extra paperwork and compliance costs instead of letting Services AustraliaThe government agency that handles many Centrelink-style payments and, on this page, is the body critics say should manage the leave payment process directly. manage it directly or making employer involvement optional.
No compensation or opt-out for small employers
Related amendments argued that if small businesses were expected to administer payments, they should at least be able to opt out or be compensated through direct payments or a tax offset. Those proposals were defeated, leaving the underlying implementation concern unresolved.
Reform seen as too limited and too slow
Several MPs who supported the bill said it still fell short of what families and gender-equality advocates wanted, arguing the leave increase should happen faster and be paired with stronger measures such as superannuation on parental leave and a longer overall entitlement.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Defeated 54 to 84. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and Katter's Australian Party. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The House rejected the proposed second-reading amendment, so it did not alter the bill's passage or wording.
Senate
Defeated 5 to 35. Support came from One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, and Jacqui Lambie Network. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate rejected the second-reading amendment, so the bill kept its existing small-business administration model.
Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate defeated the proposal, so no superannuation change was added to employer-funded parental leave payThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. in this bill.
Defeated 28 to 32. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and Jacqui Lambie Network. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate defeated the proposal, so the bill did not add a compensation mechanism for small-business administration costs.
Defeated 28 to 32. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and Jacqui Lambie Network. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate defeated the proposal, so the bill retained the broader employer administration rules.
Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate rejected the proposal, so the bill did not expand superannuation to Commonwealth-funded parental leave payThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. at this stage.
Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate defeated the proposal, so the bill kept the staged increase to 26 weeks by 2026.
Defeated 4 to 37. Support came from One Nation and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, and Jacqui Lambie Network. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate defeated the proposal, so the bill did not create the proposed opt-out structure for small businesses or employees.
Senator Waters’s proposal was defeated on voices. The matched amendment would have added superannuation coverage for employer-funded parental leave payThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child., with related consequential changes.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator Pocock’s proposal was defeated on voices. The matched sheets would have let employees withhold consent to employer-paid instalments in small businesses, and let small businesses with fewer than 20 employees elect not to pay instalments, with related drafting changes.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Amanda Rishworth strongly supports the bill, saying it expands paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. to six months, gives families more flexibility, and better supports shared care and gender equality.
Read in Hansard ↗Sukkar says the Coalition will support the bill because it delivers 26 weeks of paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child., but he argues the government should fix the way it is administered so small businesses are not forced to act as pay clerks.
Read in Hansard ↗Helen Haines supports the bill and says it will help working families by extending paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. and encouraging more equal sharing of care between parents.
Read in Hansard ↗McAllister strongly supports the bill, saying it will expand paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. to six months, give families more flexibility, and improve gender equality and economic outcomes.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
32 speakers · 34 contributions · 31 support · 1 mixed
“This Bill does just that. Crucially, it gives more families access to the Government payment, provides parents more flexibility in how they take leave, and encourages them to share care to support gender equality.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Improving gender equality and workforce productivity isn't just a fair representation of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to supporting working families and bringing about a fairer, more equitable, more prosperous and more productive Australia; it is also the reason why this bill deserves our support. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm very pleased and proud to be speaking to this bill today and I'm very pleased and proud that it's a Labor government that's building on what was a very important Labor initiative in 2011 with this expanded and more flexible scheme.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“But it is a massive investment because we're doing something really big. We're expanding paid parental leave to 26 weeks, increasing the total number of weeks that parents can access by two weeks each year until we get to 1 July 2026. So, with the support of this chamber and the other place, we'll get up to 22 weeks this year, 24 weeks next year and 26 weeks in 2026. It's something that will also assist employers who can plan for a half year, or, where families choose to stretch it out over one entire 12-month period, it gives that support as well and also gives more flexibility. I think many people who've engaged with the scheme as it currently stands have recognised that there could be more flexibility in the scheme, and we seek to do that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I whole-heartedly commend this bill to the Senate. This is a significant reform, which will have an incredible impact on the lives of mums, dads and children in my state.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That is why we've introduced this bill to amend the Paid Parental Leave Act—to provide a more generous PPL scheme. The bill will support maternal health and wellbeing, encourage both parents to take leave and give families flexibility to choose how they share and care.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to support the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023. We're the first government in Australia's history with a majority of women in our ranks. As the finance minister and Minister for Women has often said, we know equality for women is not just an add-on or a nice-to-have; it's absolutely crucial for our economic prosperity. That's why, in our first budget last year, we expanded the paid parental leave scheme and made it more generous.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill clearly has broad support within the Australian community. This bill is good for parents, kids, employers and the economy. It helps keep women in the workforce and builds stronger families.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Coming from the electorate of Pearce, which is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, with a median age of 32 and a significant increase in young families, I welcome this bill and amendment. I know it will help parents during a very special and important time in their lives, especially when nearly 42 per cent of the Pearce community is from overseas, so many don't have family or close connections here. They are absolutely reliant upon the paid parental leave, in which they can form their relationship with and look after and nurture their baby. They deserve that support, they need that support and that support will be provided by this bill. I am very proud to commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Zaneta Mascarenhas on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Zaneta Mascarenhas strongly supports the bill, saying it will give working families more practical help and make parental leave better for children, parents and the economy. She presents it as a welcome way for the government to ease the financial and care pressures parents face, especially around the birth of a first child.
“When I found out about the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 I was very excited to put my hand up and say: 'Yes. This is something I wholeheartedly agree with and support.'”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Zaneta Mascarenhas offers conditional or mixed support, arguing that women's economic inequality is an issue raised through the Jobs and Skills Summit and the employment white paper. The speech also says that one of the things I recognise with working families is that previously people needed to think about different arrangements to work out 'Do I care, or do I work?' Particularly when there's a new child in the family, this is a really challenging time.
“Women's economic inequality is an issue raised through the Jobs and Skills Summit and the employment white paper. Feedback that had been provided to the government during this process was that more support for families to balance their care was needed and, as a response, the changes that are introduced in this bill better address the needs of working Australian families.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“In a world that often moves at a relentless pace, access to paid parental leave—and expanded access, for that matter—becomes a promise that, as a community and a government, we value and prioritise the wellbeing of families and newborns. This amendment is more than just passing a law; it's investing in the future and prosperity of Australians, and it's another sign of our clear commitment to an inclusive and well supported community. By providing flexibility in how parents can arrange their care, we hope to ensure that the support offered is adaptive to the unique circumstances that define Australian families. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Amanda Rishworth on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Amanda Rishworth strongly supports the bill, saying it expands paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. to six months, gives families more flexibility, and better supports shared care and gender equality. She argues it will improve outcomes for parents and children while also benefiting employers and the economy.
“This bill does just this. Crucially, it gives more families access to the government payment, provides parents more flexibility in how they take leave, and encourages them to share care to support gender equality.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Rishworth supports the bill, saying it expands paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. to 26 weeks and will give families more support while improving participation and productivity. She also rejects amendments that would weaken the employer role or lock in future changes to the scheme.
“In summary, the bill's careful design changes all work together to strike an important balance of increasing support to families, encouraging both parents to take leave, and providing flexibility in how they structure their care arrangements. The bill gives Australian families more paid parental leave than ever before and will support participation and productivity over the longer term, providing a dividend for the economy. I commend the bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“This change to paid parental leave is the natural successor to our first tranche of changes, and it lays a strong pathway forward. The length of the payment will increase over time from 20 to 26 weeks. There's an increase in the period reserved for each parent, from two weeks to four weeks, and there's a doubling of the period where parents can take paid parental leave at the same time, from two weeks to four weeks. So, starting on 1 July 2024, two extra weeks of leave will be added every year until we reach 26 weeks of paid parental leave in 2026.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I certainly commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill before the House is good for parents, good for kids, good for employers and good for the economy. I recommend that to the House and totally discount the amendment put forward by the member for Deakin—I do not recommend that at all.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm proud to be part of a Labor government with a strong history of improving the lives of Australian families, and I'm proud to rise in support of this bill, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023. It has always been Labor governments that have implemented the critical and nation-building reforms that this country has relied upon.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The changes proposed are carefully balanced, providing increased support to mothers, encouraging active involvement of fathers and offering families the flexibility they need. This bill is not just good for parents; it is good for children, good for employers and good for the economy. It is a declaration that, as a nation, we value and prioritise the crucial role of parents in shaping the future of our society. I urge each member of parliament to stand united in support of this transformative legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Expanding paid parental leave is a much-needed reform and critical step forward for economic inclusion. It is a reform that is not only good for women but good for families and good for the economy. I commend the bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There will come a day that every person in this place must put trust in the next generation to lead our nation and that the future of this country will rest with them. We cannot control what they will do but, right here and right now, we can make a difference to the quality of life our children have access to. We know that quality time with a loving parent can do wonders for a child's early cognitive learning and development in their formative years. This bill will deliver a paid parental leave scheme that is flexible and fair and will improve social and economic outcomes for both parents and their children. I commended the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government recognises this, and that's why I'm proud to support this bill, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023. This bill will empower families to do well, it will invest in women's economic equality, it will give fathers the capacity to be more involved in their children's lives at a critical time, it will have significant benefits for the wellbeing of families, and it will help drive Australia's economy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is good for parents, good for kids, good for employers and good for the economy. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So let's pass the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill also sends a message that this government values men as carers too. We want to see that reinforced in workplaces and in our communities. This is a message that I support, and I am glad to see this outlook now being reflected in our paid parental leave system. These changes will make a huge difference to the lives of so many parents and families, with over 180,000 families expected to access the Paid Parental Leave scheme this year.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Crucially, the bill provides more families with greater access to more paid parental leave, provides parents flexibility in how they take their leave and encourages them to share the care responsibilities, which I think is essential to creating that very strong family unit. This bill is good for parents, good for kids, good for employers and good for the economy. It's great for my home state of Tasmania—and if it's good for Tasmania, then, of course, it's good for the nation. I commend the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It is critical that our Paid Parental Leave scheme supports modern Australian families. We need a scheme that is flexible and fair and drives positive health, social and economic outcomes for both parents and their children, and this bill does just that. Crucially, it gives families access to more paid parental leave, provides parents with flexibility in how they can take that leave, and encourages them to share care to support gender equality. This bill is good for parents, good for kids, good for employers and good for our economy. I thank the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I very much support this bill because it is a very good step in the right direction. Businesses, unions, experts and economists all understand that one of the best ways to boost productivity and participation is to provide more choice and more support for families and more opportunities for women. I commend the bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Our government was elected on a platform of gender equality, and we've worked tirelessly to bring this issue back to the forefront. Since our government's election, Australia has already risen from 50th to 26th in the World Economic Forum's Global gender gap report, and this bill continues that progress. One of the core values of Labor is equality, and equality is what Labor governments will always seek to achieve. These important changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme are part of a broader agenda for families by supporting them to have choice, supporting their decisions about family and work and investing in making our economy stronger. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill strikes the balance between supporting mums and encouraging dads to take leave and providing families with flexibility in structuring their care arrangements. The bill sends a clear message: parenting is an equal partnership and should be treated as such. We would like corporate Australia to take heed. It's good for parents, it's good for bubs, it's good for employers and it's good for the economy. This is exactly the kind of critical infrastructure we need to support and champion in Australia. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill expands the paid parental leave scheme by increasing the length of payments from 20 to 26 weeks. That's going to make a significant difference to many families across the country. As I mentioned before, 180,000 families will benefit from that each year. When you think about that extra six-week support that will be provided across those 180,000 people, that's going to make a significant difference for them. It is something that will be welcomed by those families, and I encourage people in this chamber to support this important legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The government shares the view of the Productivity Commission, women's groups, family advocates, economists and trade unions. Paid parental leave is a workplace entitlement that should be administered by employers. Governments, businesses and unions should be working together to ensure paid parental leave entitlements are as strong and inclusive as they can be. I commend the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Paid parental leave is a strong Labor legacy that we first established back in 2011 under the leadership of the incredible minister Jenny Macklin, and the Albanese government have worked hard to introduce reforms to now modernise the scheme, to make it flexible and equitable and just to make it more helpful to the families that it aims to support. Just like Medicare, it took a Labor government to establish paid parental leave, and now it takes a Labor government to protect it and to expand it. And that's exactly what we're doing with this bill. I'm proud to support the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
8 speakers · 7 support · 1 mixed
“We won't adopt a similar unprincipled position. I have always supported 26 weeks of paid parental leave myself, and obviously our party has, so we will support this bill notwithstanding the concerns we have with some particular aspects of the scheme.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I said, there is much in this bill that is good. It reflects the coalition policy and that is why we will support it. But I urge the government to look to support small businesses to keep that connection between employees and employers strong and to look at what else could be done to support parents with multiple births.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We support the transition to 26 weeks paid leave, as we did in 2010 and 2013. But we know that this scheme is unsustainable for small businesses in its current form, and that is why this bill should be passed with our suggested amendments. They would reduce the red-tape-compliance burden on small businesses and allow them to focus on their core work: actually running their small business—ensuring that they have a strong, robust and successful small business for their employees to return to when that time comes.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We want to support this paid parental leave amendment bill. We want to support the provisions within it, but I very much support the amendments put forward by the member for Deakin.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“To conclude, this is a good bill overall. Paid parental leave is vital for Australian mums and vital for Australian dads. It is integral for women's workforce participation, for mothers' physical and mental health and for giving fathers the opportunity to be more fully involved in their children's early care. We need to support Australian families, but we also need to support Australian small businesses—many of which are family businesses. For all the reasons I have mentioned, I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We hope that the government will look favourably upon the amendments. I certainly support them. I would like to see this bill pass through the House expeditiously—hopefully in amended form—because it's a very important opportunity to support people. As I've outlined, we support the Paid Parental Leave scheme but there's a way to make it better, and I commend that improved version to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Overall, I do speak in support of this important social policy and to a degree and economic policy reform. It will help, over time, reduce the workforce participation rate gap, which should help, over time, reduce the gender pay gap, and which should help, over time, improve our economic performance as a nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While supporting the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023, the coalition will move these amendments seeking to remove the red tape burden from small business at the appropriate time. I commend the bill and hope that this chamber will see fit to approve and support our amendments.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 4 support
“This bill is a baby step to support parents in the first crucial few months of parenthood. We will be supporting this bill, but so much more needs to be done if we are to truly tackle gender inequality in this country and truly ensure that parents and kids have the best start in life. We also need more support for parents, including accessible and affordable child care; making that free should surely be a budget priority for a Labor government. We need longer paid parental leave now, we need it paid at a higher level of income replacement, we need super included and we need the scheme design to support a better share of parental care. The case for change could not be clearer.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens welcome the extension of the Paid Parental Leave scheme. Increasing the availability of leave to 26 weeks is a positive step in ensuring that parents are adequately supported in those crucial first few months of parenthood. Parents should have access to a minimum of 26 weeks of paid leave to allow recovery from birth, maximising options to establish breastfeeding and allowing parents to spend time with their infants. Extended leave provides the best chance of a good start for children in the early years and healthy patterns of shared care.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens welcome the extension of the paid parental leave scheme. Increasing the availability of leave from 18 to 26 weeks is an important step forward in ensuring that parents are adequately supported in the crucial first few months of parenthood. But why do people have to wait for another three years to get the 26-week entitlement? Women have already waited over a decade for fairer paid parental leave. This should come much sooner, and we should be moving quickly to 52 weeks paid parental leave and paying superannuation on PPL.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens welcome the extension of paid parental leave and the scheme. Increasing availability of leave to 26 weeks is a positive step towards ensuring parents are supported in the crucial early months of parenthood and motherhood.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
9 speakers · 11 contributions · 9 support
“I commend this bill as a step in the right direction to help working families. But I say that the government must do a whole lot more for families, especially in regional, rural and remote Australia, and especially when it comes to child care.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As a bill that seeks to improve the lives of working families in Australia whilst also improving outcomes for children and advancing gender equality, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 is indeed a welcome step in the right direction.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023, provides another welcome step toward improving the PPL scheme so that parents and caregivers can spend more time with their new babies.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I commend this bill to the House and look forward to further progress in this very important area.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today in support of the government's amendments to our nation's Paid Parental Leave scheme through the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill. I fully support and thank the government for their commitment to improving the lives of working families, providing Australian children a good start in life and advancing gender equality.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In conclusion, I support this bill for the positive impact it will have children, families and women's workforce participation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill now fulfils what the Arthursons' petition asked for but at a slow pace, rolling the extension out until 2026. No doubt the government will campaign on this at the next election as an election pledge to families, prior to this full instalment of parental leave being available, but it is a long way off and, I would argue, needed much sooner. So I support this bill, but there is more work to be done on the paid parental leave front and for achieving greater equality and economic security for Australian women. We need to get to gender equity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 3 separate contributions by Zoe Daniel, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Spender supports the bill and welcomes its expansion of paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child., saying it is a useful step toward equality and better shared parenting. Her main criticism is that it does not go far enough to change the culture that leaves most caring to mothers, so she wants future reforms to be more ambitious.
“The bill today, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023, is part of that progress. It is a step towards the equality and equity that so many Australians want to see, and I welcome it.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Moved amendment
Spender supports the bill and welcomes the extra paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. and reserved weeks, saying it is a positive step for working families. She argues, though, that it does not go far enough to change parenting culture and wants bigger future reforms to encourage shared care.
“The government's proposal shifts us from two weeks to four weeks, and this is welcome. But I'll be honest: I'm really concerned that this is just not far enough and that we need to move to six or eight weeks to ensure that the incentive is really significant, is properly utilised and starts to change the culture of care in our country.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Zoe Daniel supports the bill as a step toward a fairer paid parental leaveThe government payment parents can receive while they are away from work caring for a new child. system, saying it will help share caring more equally and improve women’s workforce participation. She says it does not go far enough and wants a more ambitious, longer leave scheme and wider care reforms.
“The evidence is clear, and the case for change is powerful. According to Deloitte Access Economics, removing the persistent and pervasive barriers to women's full and equal participation in economic activity will add $128 billion to the Australian economy. As has been said before, if that were a minerals deposit, everyone would be rushing to get it out of the ground. As Sam Mostyn, the chair of the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce says, women 'are tired of waiting for action to feel safe and valued and have equal access to economic prosperity'. Women's economic equality is one of my key platforms, and I will continue to repeat myself on this issue in this chamber. This bill is another step in the right direction.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Now the government can show they do care. These amendments will give small businesses a choice: they will be able to administer the scheme themselves or hand over the administration to Services Australia, which has 35,000 staff.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (19 Oct 2023): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (5 Feb 2024)
APH bill page notes
