Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm at that age where all my friends are having grandkids. Those of us with kids who are about to become parents are celebrating 1 July because it means that they will now be eligible for an extra two weeks of paid parental leave. That's 22 weeks to have at home to look after a new baby. Having a new baby can be one of the scariest and hardest things that you do emotionally, physically and financially. When I had my children 30 years ago, I didn't have a day of paid parental leave, nor could I afford to take any time off. I can see just how transformative this additional paid leave is for mums, dads and their partners so that they have some financial support without the need to work.

Paid parental leave will continue to grow: two weeks next year and two more weeks in 2026, as well as super being paid, to give young people the breathing space and flexibility they need with their new family. It combines with our cheaper child care plus the indexation to family tax benefits A and B, which were frozen for most of the time under the Liberals when they were in government. All of that now eases the cost of living for young families. These are changes that are not just for the moment. They are long-lasting, systemic changes, and I know that they will change the lives of young families.