Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Gallagher. Last Wednesday, I raised the question on the unfair classification of twin births as a single birth rather than a multiple birth. The multiple birth allowance was introduced in 1985, to quote a former minister, 'in recognition of the extra cost faced by parents following simultaneous birth as well as the indirect costs of reduced workforce participation'. Minister Farrell last week agreed that 'multiple' means two or more. You agree that parents of twins face extra costs. You accept that they have reduced workforce participation. What is the logic that justifies additional support for parents of triplets but does not also justify additional support for parents of twins?