Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with immense pride that I can rise to say today that the Albanese government is delivering on our commitment to Queensland families. The Albanese government's latest tranche of improvements to paid parental leave conditions came into effect on 1 July 2025—just a few short weeks ago. That means around 180,000 families a year will benefit from an additional two weeks paid parental leave, boosting the total to 24 weeks of paid leave. This will increase to 26 weeks, or roughly six months, of leave by 1 July next year. For the first time ever, superannuation will be paid on the government's paid parental leave. Paid parental leave was the only form of paid leave that didn't have super paid on it, but the Albanese government has fixed this.

I remind everyone in this place that it was a Labor government, the Gillard government, that introduced paid parental leave in this country. We know that, on average, women retire with 24 per cent less super than men due to career breaks for caregiving. In addition to increasing leave to 24 weeks, we will increase the leave time that parents can take off together to four weeks, to support each other in those critical early days of welcoming a newborn.

We know that time at home supports better child development outcomes, emotional security and early cognitive stimulation. This structural reform isn't just an investment in Australian families; it's an investment in Australia's future health, our wellbeing, our happiness and our economic productivity. Critically, the scheme remains gender neutral and encourages parents to share care, fostering greater equality at home and reducing the traditional care burden for women.

In the Albanese government, Australians have a modern parliament legislating for a modern Australia. As a new mum of a young son, I couldn't be more proud of that.