Election 2025: Greens plan doubles paid parental leave

The Greens are urging female voters to help the minor party gain the balance of power in the next term of parliament by promising $7.7bn to double paid parental leave.

Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

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The Greens are making one of their last major campaign pitches to women before polling begins, urging female voters to help the minor party gain the balance of power in the next term of parliament by promising $7.7bn to double paid parental leave.

As part of a blitz of the three Queensland seats won by the Greens in the last election, the party will announce a new policy on Wednesday to double the length of paid parental leave from 26 to 52 weeks by 2030 and increase the “use it or lose it” components for dads and partners from four to 12 weeks of leave.

The scheme would also see primary carers paid more during their leave, with the government funding up to $100,000 and employers topping up to replacement wage for those earning above the $100,000 threshold.

Greens women's spokeswoman and Queensland senator Larissa Waters said 26 weeks paid at minimum wage was “not enough” for parents struggling with the cost of living.

“It’s time parents are rewarded, not penalised, for dedicating themselves to the precious first year of a baby’s life,” Senator Waters said.

“Serious paid parental leave is also critical to closing the gender pay gap, and too many women retire into poverty after a lifetime of care.”

Senator Waters said electing more Greens to parliament would “get Labor to act” on such policies.

The Greens plan will be announced in the seat of Ryan, held by Greens’ MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown on a margin of less than 3 per cent, and will also open up parental leave eligibility to PhD students, irrespective of employment status.

“Parents shouldn’t have to choose between spending the precious first year with their baby and paying their rent or mortgage,” Ms Watson Brown said.

As part of the $7.7bn scheme, which would be funded through ramping up tax on big corporations, paid parental leave would be increased to 52 weeks by 2030, with the average family to be nearly $23,000 better off under the combined policies.

It follows the Greens pushing Labor to put super on paid parental leave, and threatening not to support legislation doubling the concessional tax rate for super balances worth over $3m if the government did not do so.

While hoping to hold the seats of Ryan, Brisbane and Griffith, the Greens are hoping to flip seats including Richmond, Macnamara and Wills, while making inroads in the Labor-held seat of Moreton in Queensland.

The Australian understands that as part of the party’s blitz through Queensland seats, it will on Thursday make a final announcement in the seat of Brisbane to benefit the LGBTQ community.

Brisbane MP and proudly gay member of parliament, Stephen Bates, will announce the policy beside Adam Bandt.