It's time to talk paid parental leave, Tony.

If there is one thing I do admire about the current government it is its ability to galvanise groups of people.

We saw it after the government’s attacks on Gillian Triggs which led a group of Australia’s pre-eminent legal academics to speak out.

We saw it after the government announced its Medicare co-payment policies which prompted the entire medical profession to band together.

We saw it after Waleed Aly and Fair Agenda demanded the government to show family violence the money.  

We are seeing it now with the PPL reversal Tony Abbott and Treasurer Joe Hockey thrust upon us in their latest budget. It’s no small feat to garner the signatures of 34 leaders from corporate, academia and health and representatives from a further 21 organisations demanding a policy reversal. But, it’s no big task for this government.

Marie Coleman, Prof. Graham Vimpani AM, Prof. Marian Baird, Jo Briskey, Ruth Medd, Ged Kearney, Dr Caroline Lambert, Sally Jope, Prof. Fiona Stanley AC FAA and Dr Cassandra Goldie are among the signatories on a statement that was sent to the Prime Minister,  the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Greens and cross bench Senators on Thursday.

Their ask of the government, coordinated by the National Foundation for Australian Women, is this: abandon the proposed changes to the current paid parental leave scheme announced in the 2015 Budget.

Women on Boards, the National Council of Women of Australia, the Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia, the Australian Women’s Health Network, Women’s Legal Services Australia, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Australia, the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia,  Zonta International District 23 and the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women are among the diverse organisations that support and endorse this request.

Why?

Because the current scheme has the twin objectives of enhancing child and maternal well-being and supporting parental work force participation. The universal scheme underpins whatever employees are able to obtain by negotiation with employers, with the aim of extending total paid leave as close as possible to a full 26 weeks recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Because paid parental leave has significant health benefits for both mother and child.

Because paid parental leave contributes to workforce participation and employee retention rates.

Because paid parental leave is a social compact that requires a commitment from government, employers and individuals.

Because accessing government funded paid parental leave is not ‘double dipping’, it splits the cost between government and employers.

I noted with interest today that Tony Abbott has backed away from the iron ore inquiry that was flagged by government earlier this week. The reason?  “We made the decision that there was no need for it at this time … we talked to all the various players in the sector,” Tony Abbott said as reported by Fairfax political reporter Judith Ireland. 

I look forward to the government reaching a similar conclusion after it conducts talks with all “the various players” concerned about its paid parental leave policy.  Shall I hold my breath?

It"s time to talk paid parental leave, Tony.