Sue
MORONEY
Social Development spokesperson
17 April 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
Time to deliver on 26 weeks Paid Parental Leave
Today marks two years since Labour MP Sue Moroney's Bill extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks was drawn from the
members' ballot.
“It’s time the Government acted in the interests of families,” Sue Moroney says.
“National has tried every trick in the book to delay my Bill from passing its second reading.
“The Government has threatened a financial veto, pretended it was changing its mind to keep the Bill in select committee
longer and filibustered in Parliament – all to stop parents from have more time at home with their new-born babies.
“My Bill has the numbers to pass in Parliament and has huge public support including that of 99.6 per cent of submitters
to the select committee. Only National stands in the way of families having 12 weeks more paid parental leave.
“Last year National sought a three-month extension on reporting my Bill back to Parliament on the basis it was
reconsidering its position and would make changes to the legislation.
“However, there have been no approaches to me to amend my Bill and it is now clear that was done just to stop families
from getting this support.
“Two years is an extraordinary time for a Bill that has majority support to wait for a second reading.
“A Labour government is committed to 26 weeks paid parental leave. Labour will deliver this through our Best Start
policy,” Sue Moroney says.
ENDS