PM Abbott scraps paid parental leave plan as criticism mounts
Print Edition
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday dropped a signature plan for paid parental leave and promised a more consultative approach on economic and security problems, seeking to stave off mounting criticism of his leadership.
Abbott has faced a series of challenges in his 16 months in the top job, including an economy battered by a plunge in commodity prices, broken election promises, policy back flips and perceived gaffes.
Pressure on him soared after last week’s decision to award a top honor to Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband.
More questions about his leadership were raised after a disastrous state election at the weekend, when the Queensland Liberal-National Party, closely aligned with Abbott’s Liberal-National coalition, surrendered the largest political majority in Australia’s history after just one term in office.
In a speech dubbed by some commentators as the most important of his political career, Abbott outlined his priorities including job creation, helping families and small businesses, building roads and strengthening national security.
He said he has not considered stepping down.
“This will be a test of character,” he said in response to a question about his leadership at Canberra’s National Press Club.
“Politicians pass the test when they do what is best for the long-term, not when they give in to short-term fear.”
Abbott’s tough stance on asylum seekers, his pressure on Russia over the downing of a Malaysian Airlines jet in Ukraine and success on trade deals have won approval but been over-shadowed by anger over proposed cuts to health and education.
Abbott said he believes he has the full support of his deputy party leader, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who along with former Liberal Party leader Malcolm Turnbull, has been touted as a potential replacement.
In an effort to shore up support from both his party and the public, Abbott said he was scrapping his A$5.5 billion (US$4.3 billion) paid parental leave scheme that had been criticized for being too expensive and made without consultation.
He said he took responsibility for his decisions.
“I accept that the paid parental leave scheme was a captain’s call.”
Haydon Manning, associate professor at Flinders University’s school of social and policy studies, said Abbott’s cabinet colleagues were unlikely to seek to replace him.
“You feel he will be given to about mid-year ... If it’s then clear that Australians have tuned out from this prime minister, then you’d think he would be removed.”
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