It gets worse for...

It gets worse for Tony:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-17/dennis-jensen-hits-out-at-science-confusion-in-new-ministry/4962898

Jensen has 'problems' with PPL plans.

Dennis Jensen

"The problem is this is an idea that someone has had which has then become policy and I believe that it hasn't been properly thought through at all."


Jensen has 'problems' with PPL plans

Dr Jensen has also ramped up his criticism of Mr Abbott's multi-billion-dollar paid parental leave (PPL) scheme, which the incoming Prime Minister has said he is "deeply" committed to.

"The problem is this is an idea that someone has had which has then become policy and I believe that it hasn't been properly thought through at all," he said.


He wants the policy to go to the Productivity Commission for a cost-benefit analysis, and has held out the possibility of voting against it when it comes before Parliament.

"I'd have to wait and see where the policy goes," he said when asked if he would support it.

"Right at the moment, it's fair to say that I have problems with it."

He says he has had dozens of constituents contact him about the policy and they were "not in favour of it".

Dr Jensen has been an outspoken member of the Coalition since entering Parliament in 2004.

He has sat on various parliamentary committees but has not been elevated to the ministry.

Mr Abbott's paid parental leave scheme, which he describes as "fair dinkum", would give a baby's primary carer six months' leave on the mother's full pay, up to an annual salary of $150,000.

It is slated to cost $5.5 billion a year and will begin from July 1 next year.

Currently, the national PPL scheme pays the minimum wage, currently $622 a week, for 18 weeks.