Hanson's stance on parental leave and childcare could set back working mothers

Economists warn One Nation policies could roll back decades of progress for working mothers, damage productivity and widen gender inequality. At the National Press Club, Pauline Hanson suggested employers should not pay women on maternity leave, saying: “If women take time off and they are not paid their wages because they’re not working, fair enough.

Why should business pay? But they’re not at work. That’s the difference. That’s why the pay gap is there.” She also hinted at major changes to childcare and pushed for income splitting to encourage a parent to stay home. Paid parental leave is not compulsory for employers, though many offer it to attract staff, and all employees are entitled to 12 months of unpaid leave.

A government paid parental leave scheme from 1 July will provide parents 26 weeks at the national minimum wage.

pauline hanson, one nation, parental leave, maternity leave, paid leave, unpaid leave, childcare, income splitting, working mothers, pay gap