Labour MPs supporting National’s paid parental leave change
Newshub reports:
Speaking on Tuesday morning, acting Prime Minister Kelvin Davis appeared to cold-shoulder National’s idea, saying Labour is happy with the bill as is.
“We’re really excited by the fact that by 2020, parents will be able to take 26 weeks’ paid parental leave.”
“We’re happy with the bill that we’ve put forward.”
But his colleague, Willow-Jean Prime said she knows how difficult being a new mother can be and would be talking to Minister for Workplace Relations Iain Lees-Galloway about adopting National’s amendment.
“That is one of the most challenging times – as soon as Mum has given birth – and I know in our own situation, that was a time I really appreciated having my husband there. Being a school teacher he only had about a week and that was difficult.”
It is amazingly difficult for parents to only have the other parent around for a couple of weeks. National’s amendment would give flexibility and allow parents to work out what best suits them.
The first three months after birth is to be honest a bit of a living hell. You love your baby to pieces, but my God it is hard. The sleep deprivation makes you unable to function well and working out how to stop your baby crying can be Mission Impossible. It is all worth it when they then smile at you, but it is damn hard. Allowing parents to both take paid leave at the same time so they can cope together, rather than apart, will really help.
Labour should swallow its pride and do what is best for parents by giving them flexibility, rather than keep insisting they know what is best.
Even the author of its previous bill on paid parental leave, Sue Moroney, has come out and endorsed National’s policy.
Ms Moroney, who retired at the 2017 election, said “getting everyone that attachment and bonding opportunity would be a great place to go to”.
She said men are as capable of looking after children as women are, and she wants families to have the flexibility to allow both parents to care for their child or children.
Exactly. Flexibility. Not we know best for everyone.