Anthony Albanese says the party has failed to pursue a policy of increasing paid childcare leave before the election because if Labor wins the government, they will inherit a trillion-dollar debt.
Last year, Labor’s national platform included a “goal” to increase the existing leave program to 26 weeks, and Mr Albanese gave an interview at a time when he said the party would “consult” on the issue if they win the government.
However, The West Australian revealed on Thursday that Labor has since confirmed that they do not accept childcare leave policies in elections.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to an oil refinery in Gladstone in Central Queensland, Mr Albanez said the party could not afford to do whatever it wanted.
“If we succeed, we will inherit a debt of $ 1 trillion,” he said.
“We have said that we will make a clear commitment to things that we are absolutely sure can be delivered.
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“Can we undo the 10-year damage with this government? Ten years of damage in one year, the first day? No, we can’t. “
He said Labor’s promise to make childcare cheaper was the biggest commitment the party had made during the election, but said it was an investment that “pays off”.
As for the minimum wage, Mr Albanese again dismissed Scott Morrison’s claim that a 5 per cent increase would hurt the economy, saying he could not understand why the prime minister was behaving as if the sky was falling over an equated increase. up to an extra $ 1 per hour. .
Asked whether he supports not just raising the current minimum wage of $ 20.33, but the minimum wage, which is included in several wages, the Labor leader said he was talking only about the lowest paid workers in the country who receive 20 , $ 33 per hour.
“I’m talking about people earning $ 20.33 an hour, and the federal government says they need to cut real wages,” he said.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-election/federal-election-2022-anthony-albanese-backflips-on-paid-parental-leave-plan-citing-trillion-dollars-debt-c-6769992
