SENATOR PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Thank you, thanks very much for coming. Australians knew this Budget was full of cuts. We knew that Tony Abbott lied to Australians when he said "no cuts to health, no cuts to education."
Reports today demonstrate not only were there a whole range of cuts in the Budget that Tony Abbott was prepared to talk about, there were also over $160 million worth of cuts he tried to keep secret; cuts to things like the National Immunisation Strategy, cuts to aged care programs, cuts which Tony Abbott didn't want to talk about Budget night but which now have been made clear. More secret cuts that will hurt families, hurt our elderly and make Australia a less fair place.
I want to also say something about Paid Parental Leave. Even Tony Abbott's own colleagues believe his priorities are all wrong. Even his colleagues believe that Tony Abbott's got the wrong priorities. What sort of Australia does Mr Abbott want? He wants an Australia where it's harder for parents to take their kids to the doctor to get vaccinated but a millionaire gets money for having a baby. It's not fair, it's not right and even Tony Abbott's own colleagues know that his Paid Parental Leave policy is unfair.
Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Are you prepared to negotiate with the Paid Parental Leave scheme?
WONG: We've made clear we think this policy is wrong. And it's not just Labor saying that, it's Coalition backbenchers saying that to Tony Abbott and its also the Productivity Commission that has made that very clear.
JOURNALIST: Government Ministers have been quoted this morning saying they'll have full Cabinet support and they'll introduce legislation next year. Are you doubtful?
WONG: This is the Prime Minister's signature policy. It's a signature policy which his backbench is criticising; a signature policy where he's hiding the legislation; and a signature policy where he's hiding the cost because the Budget that was handed down hides from Australians the true cost of the Paid Parental Leave scheme. Really, its a scheme that is all about helping those who don't need it and taking from those who do.
JOURNALIST: It's not just billionaires who are receiving this, it's the average family as well, who might really need this money. Are they not deserving of this?
WONG: I think a sensible Paid Parental Leave scheme is a good idea which is what Labor put in place. But what Tony Abbott's scheme does is give the most benefits to people who least need it. And at the same time he's taking money from low and middle income Australians. He's saying to low and middle income Australian parents: 'I'm going to charge you more every time you take your child to the doctor.' I just don't think that's fair and I don't think Australians think that's fair.
JOURNALIST: The Labor scheme only pays the minimum wage. Are they entitled to the same as sick leave and carers leave?
WONG: Look, we put in place the first Paid Parental Leave scheme and it's a scheme that has helped millions of Australians already. What I would say is this: Tony Abbott's scheme is unfair, it gives the most benefit to those who need it least and it is in the context of a Budget which is a vicious assault on low and middle income Australians.
Thank you.
ENDS