National out to lure parents by extending paid parental leave by 4 weeks
The National Party has promised to extend paid parental leave by 4 weeks from the current 18 to a new proposed 22 weeks.
This is the second policy by the National Party in last few days aiming to target on parents, after the education policy announced on Sunday, August 28, which the party is claiming will help parents to track their children’s progress throughout the year in key learning areas.
Now, the Party has come up with a proposal to extend paid parental leave as part of its Parents and Newborns Package.
“National will share the dividends of a growing economy, with more support for families with newborns in a new package made possible only by the improving government finances,” Women Spokesperson Paula Bennett said.
National’s Parents and Newborns Package will progressively extend Paid Parental Leave to 22 weeks over two years, with an initial step of two weeks on 1 July 2018 followed by a further two weeks on 1 July 2019.
The policy will also add flexibility to Paid Parental Leave, by allowing both parents to take some of the 22 weeks off at the same time so they can be at home with their baby together.
It also envisages supporting women to take care of their own health by offering them one free dental course during pregnancy and up to their baby’s first birthday.
“National’s Parents and Newborns package recognises the role of both parents and allows families to have the flexibility that suits their circumstances. It is good for parents, good for their baby and will help support women in the workforce,” Mrs Bennett said.
However, Labour Party has criticised National’s plan on paid parental plan saying that they cannot be trusted as they had earlier blocked Labour’s plan for the extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
“New Zealanders know they can trust Labour on Paid Parental Leave, not Bill English, who blocked an extension to 26 weeks just last year,” Labour MP Sue Moroney said in a media statement.
Ms Moroney had brought in a bill last year seeking an extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
“After vetoing 26 weeks Paid Parental Leave, which the majority of Parliament voted for, Bill English has no credibility promising more weeks now,” Ms Moroney said.
However, National Party is saying that this changed perspective towards extending paid parental leave is concomitant of the improving fiscal outlook.
“National has always wanted to increase Paid Parental Leave in a responsible way,” Workplace Relations and Safety Spokesperson Michael Woodhouse said.
“We’ve already increased it to 18 weeks and widened the criteria for those that can access it – the improving fiscal outlook means we can now extend Paid Parental Leave further,” Mr Woodhouse said.
Health Spokesperson Dr Jonathan Coleman says that a growing economy is allowing National to help to grow and support new families.
“All New Zealanders deserve the chance to have a family, so we are also pleased to be able to stand behind people struggling to conceive, through funding for an extra IVF for those who need it,” Dr Coleman said.
“We also want to support pregnant women, and new mothers take care of their health.
“As pregnancy can lead to dental problems for some women, we will fund one dental course for all pregnant women and mothers up until their baby’s first birthday, including a check-up and any resulting x-rays, extractions and fillings,” Dr Coleman said.
The Parents and Newborns Package will come into effect on July 1, 2018.
It is expected to cost $88 million per year from 2019/2020 once 22 weeks of Paid Parental Leave is fully implemented.
The National Party has promised to extend paid parental leave by 4 weeks from the current 18 to a new proposed 22 weeks.
This is the second policy by the National Party in last few days aiming to target on parents, after the education policy announced on Sunday, August 28, which the party is...
The National Party has promised to extend paid parental leave by 4 weeks from the current 18 to a new proposed 22 weeks.
This is the second policy by the National Party in last few days aiming to target on parents, after the education policy announced on Sunday, August 28, which the party is claiming will help parents to track their children’s progress throughout the year in key learning areas.
Now, the Party has come up with a proposal to extend paid parental leave as part of its Parents and Newborns Package.
“National will share the dividends of a growing economy, with more support for families with newborns in a new package made possible only by the improving government finances,” Women Spokesperson Paula Bennett said.
National’s Parents and Newborns Package will progressively extend Paid Parental Leave to 22 weeks over two years, with an initial step of two weeks on 1 July 2018 followed by a further two weeks on 1 July 2019.
The policy will also add flexibility to Paid Parental Leave, by allowing both parents to take some of the 22 weeks off at the same time so they can be at home with their baby together.
It also envisages supporting women to take care of their own health by offering them one free dental course during pregnancy and up to their baby’s first birthday.
“National’s Parents and Newborns package recognises the role of both parents and allows families to have the flexibility that suits their circumstances. It is good for parents, good for their baby and will help support women in the workforce,” Mrs Bennett said.
However, Labour Party has criticised National’s plan on paid parental plan saying that they cannot be trusted as they had earlier blocked Labour’s plan for the extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
“New Zealanders know they can trust Labour on Paid Parental Leave, not Bill English, who blocked an extension to 26 weeks just last year,” Labour MP Sue Moroney said in a media statement.
Ms Moroney had brought in a bill last year seeking an extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
“After vetoing 26 weeks Paid Parental Leave, which the majority of Parliament voted for, Bill English has no credibility promising more weeks now,” Ms Moroney said.
However, National Party is saying that this changed perspective towards extending paid parental leave is concomitant of the improving fiscal outlook.
“National has always wanted to increase Paid Parental Leave in a responsible way,” Workplace Relations and Safety Spokesperson Michael Woodhouse said.
“We’ve already increased it to 18 weeks and widened the criteria for those that can access it – the improving fiscal outlook means we can now extend Paid Parental Leave further,” Mr Woodhouse said.
Health Spokesperson Dr Jonathan Coleman says that a growing economy is allowing National to help to grow and support new families.
“All New Zealanders deserve the chance to have a family, so we are also pleased to be able to stand behind people struggling to conceive, through funding for an extra IVF for those who need it,” Dr Coleman said.
“We also want to support pregnant women, and new mothers take care of their health.
“As pregnancy can lead to dental problems for some women, we will fund one dental course for all pregnant women and mothers up until their baby’s first birthday, including a check-up and any resulting x-rays, extractions and fillings,” Dr Coleman said.
The Parents and Newborns Package will come into effect on July 1, 2018.
It is expected to cost $88 million per year from 2019/2020 once 22 weeks of Paid Parental Leave is fully implemented.
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