QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:49): I thank Senator Ciccone for that question. As a parent of a young Australian, these issues around paid parental leave and making them work for families have been central to our thinking about sensible reforms that could be made to PPL, not only to make sure that families are getting the extended time—so going to a full six months—but, as Senator Ciccone said, also to make sure that super is paid on PPL.

We on this side of the chamber thought it was a problem that we had an employment condition—essentially the only employment condition—that didn't have super paid on it, and we have fixed that with the investments that we've made. We're also making it easier for families to share care under those arrangements. We know more and more dads or second parents in those relationships are wanting to spend time with their babies as well, and our changes to PPL do that.

We always look for ways to help people with caring responsibilities. The PRESIDENT: Senator Ciccone, second supplementary?