The Nationals advocate for stronger parental leave for fathers

The Nationals are advocating for reforms to Australia's paid parental leave system to better support fathers. Federal Nationals MP Llew O'Brien is pushing for the removal of work test requirements that currently prevent fathers from accessing paid leave if their primary care partner does not meet specific employment criteria.

Under current rules, parents must have worked 330 hours in 10 of the 13 months preceding a child's birth to qualify. O'Brien argues this excludes many single-income households where mothers may stay at home. Nationals leader Matt Canavan supports the initiative as a potential method to address Australia's declining birth rate, which stood at 1.48 babies per woman in 2024.

The proposal faces opposition from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who has previously questioned the necessity of businesses paying for leave when women are not actively working.