When @JoshFrydenberg was asked a serious question in Parliament yesterday by @zalisteggall about paid parental leave in Australia his response was total obfuscation.

Let’s set the record straight.
#auspol

The average length of paid parental leave among OECD countries is around 55 weeks - while Australia's system offers just 18 weeks.

Unlike the majority of the 36 members of the OECD, Australia provides a flat rate rather than a replacement wage.
@JoshFrydenberg attempted to make this complicated; about who pays what & “transfers”.

Because less than half of Australia’s biggest employers (and far fewer smaller employers) offer ANY paid parental leave, 18 weeks at the minimum wage is the maximum most parents receive.

It is patently untrue for the Treasurer to imply on the floor of parliament that Australian parents receive generous parental leave from employers as an explanation for an inadequate statutory paid parental leave program.

The bottom line is Australian parents receive far less paid parental leave than parents around the world and it costs children, parents and the economy. In health, social and financial terms.