THE honeymoon for Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott appears to be over with his paid parental leave plan drawing condemnation from his natural constituency — business.
The Liberal Party chief has been accused of being too generous with his policy which allows parents to access six months paid leave at the equivalent of their salary up to $150,000 a year.
Business groups in particular are upset at Mr Abbott wanting to force a 1.7 per cent levy on large business to fund his scheme.
They say it will make it less attractive to employ women, prompt job losses and deter investment.
It certainly appears as though Mr Abbott has not fully thought through the ramifications of his promise which was made to coincide with International Women’s Day on Monday.
He sought forgiveness from his party room yesterday after saying he had made a leader’s call on the issue.
But voters are also entitled to question whether the policy will ever become reality, based on Mr Abbott’s record of having rejected parental leave schemes when he was part of the Howard government.
It is a fair bet it will not be implemented in its existing form.
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